Work of the Week – Noriko Koide: Whale

The Japanese composer Noriko Koide (b. 1982) is regarded as one of the most distinguished voices of her generation, characterized by innovative orchestration, fine musical textures, and rich sound colour. On November 24, 2025, her new orchestral work "Whale" will celebrate its World Premiere (WP) at the NTK Hall Forest Hall in Nagoya, performed by the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Kanade Yokoyama.

An Ocean of Sound: Noriko Koide's Whale Invites Children to Swim with the Orchestra

This commission by the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra is not only a contribution to the contemporary orchestral repertoire but also a creative act of inclusion. Koide, who has been actively involved in multi-dimensional art projects for children for years (including with the group Doubutsu Ongakutai), composed Whale specifically for a children's concert, inviting young participants to actively contribute.

The pedagogical approach is a core element of the work: Shortly before the concert begins, the composer leads a workshop where children can craft homemade musical instruments—described as large containers with many beads. These instruments are not just a craft project; they become an integral part of the premiere performance.

When Children's Instruments Meet the Orchestra

The orchestral work "Whale" thus becomes a unique community experience: the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra merges with the texture-rich sounds of the children's instruments to musically portray the different characteristics of the whale. Listeners will witness how the whale—represented by this unusual combination of professionals and amateurs—swims through the ocean.

Noriko Koide's style is complex, but she consistently uses innovative techniques to create unique textures and colours. She studied composition in Tokyo, Amsterdam, and The Hague, and won several important prizes, including the Akutagawa Award for Music Composition (2007).

Between Gamelan and the Avant-Garde

Particularly influential on Koide's sound world is her deep interest in traditional Javanese Gamelan music, which she studied in Indonesia. She describes her musical language as a point where Western musical language and Gamelan language—which often proceed in opposite directions—meet and coexist, similar to installing Mac and Windows together.

Works like "Riverside" (a mythological river) or "Swaddling Silk and Gossamer Rain" demonstrate Koide's ability to translate philosophical depth and poetic titles into music. "Whale" follows this tradition by combining the fascinating theme of marine life and the innovative integration of unconventional sounds into a significant work of musical pedagogy.

Learn more:

• Work page Whale
• Event Page Nagoya Philharmonic
• Composer profile Noriko Koide

_{photo Noriko Koide: JUMPEITAINAKA}