This song, “Anta gata doko sa” (which means “Where are you from?” in Japanese), is a traditional children’s song often sung while playing with a ball.

One interesting feature of this song is that the beat seems to reset every time the syllable “sa” appears in the lyrics. Because of this, it can feel as though the song has an irregular meter, although some Japanese people perceive it as being in a constant single beat (1/4).

The harmony is my own arrangement, inspired by a Westernized interpretation of Japanese modes.

The ensemble featured in this performance is known as alta cappella, a Renaissance outdoor instrumental tradition characterized by its bright, festive sound, often performed with shawms, dulzians, sackbuts and percussion.

Performers:
Soprano Shawm: Nakasako Sakana 1
Alto Shawm: Nakasako Sakana 2
Tenor Shawm (with extension): Nakasako Sakana 3
Bass Dulzian: Nakasako Sakana 4
Tambourine (off-screen): Nakasako Sakana

#middleages #renaissance #altacapella #ショーム #ドゥルツィアン