Kanon Special Live
02 May 2009
(O.A. 14 Jun 2009)
BS11 SPECIAL
Official Site

Kanon presents a special live mini-concert within an intimate setting consisting of piano performances accompanied by a small acoustic ensemble (cello, classical guitar).  I have made commentaries for the songs that I felt were unique or warranted further explanation.  Many thanks to Hiro-san for the video!

Setlist

1. The Water is Wide

Also known as O Waly, Waly, The Water is Wide is an English folk song from the 1600′s later popularized by many artists in the 21st century.  Some of you may recognize that it has been used as the tune for the hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  Available on Hymn of Grace, Kanon’s debut album.

2. Wings to Fly～翼をください
(Wings to Fly~Tsubasa wo Kudasai / Wings to Fly~Please Give Me Wings)

3. Lingering Snow~なごり雪
(Lingering Snow~Nagori Yuki / Lingering Snow~Lingering Snow)

4. Never Say Goodbye

Adapted from Ravel’s solo piano piece entitled Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess).  I first heard this from Hayley Westenra‘s debut album, Pure, which I actually prefer compared to Kanon’s solo piano rendition.  (No offense!)  Kanon’s interpretation extends the phrases way too long, the piano arrangement also too long winded – almost whiny if you really listen to it.  In summary, the song sounds much better expressed as a simple melody.

5. The Power

Ah, yes.  This is by far Kanon’s strongest performance of the night!  Her expression and tone are just perfect, much befitting the song’s message.  Available on Kanon’s third album, Sanctuary.

6. Saga~This is my road

7. Arioso

What an interesting arrangement!  Literally, arioso means airy, and in classical music, it refers to a “style of solo opera singing between recitative and aria”.  Kanon sings to the tune of J.S. Bach’s Arioso, and she does the piece justice.  The arrangement on piano and her vocals complement each other, with a hint of the elements of “light” and “air”.  I believe Kanon penned the lyrics herself as I am unable to find them on Google. This is a cover of Susan Osborn’s The Tender Road from her album, Still Life.  (It’s a love song, of course.)  It’d be nice to have this song on her next full album.

8. I Dreamed a Dream

Taken from the musical Les Misérables but more recently popularized by Scottish talent Susan Boyle on the reality show Britain’s Got Talent.  (If you haven’t seen Boyle’s incredible performance, you must watch!  Very inspiring.)  Kanon herself performs with lots of emotion and expression.  Unique interpretation.  Perhaps another album track?

9. Sea of Love

We finally hear the full version!  I must say that I love it!  I’ll try to get my friend, mink, to translate it.  I really wish she would release PV’s like the other artists because this would make a beautiful video…

10. 明日への鼓動
(Asu e no Kodou / Tomorrow’s Heartbeat)

This is the first time I’ve heard 明日への鼓動 performed live.  Although not the strongest performance, it’s still my all-time favorite Kanon song because of its powerful theme, which continues to speak to me to this day as I progress in my career goals.  I was really surprised that she was able to hit that high note at the bridge – and this was nearly at the end of the concert.  Can’t get enough of this song!

11. Time to Say Goodbye (Encore)

Overall Impression

Release Date：08.26.2009
Price￥2,200 (tax in)

1. Saga～This is my road ♫
（Anime Guin Saga Ending Song)
Songwriting：カノン

2. マリウスの歌 / Mariusu no uta / Marius’ Song ♫
（Anime Guin Saga Insert Song）
Lyrics: Nakajima Azusa / Composition: Uematsu Nobou

3. Saga～This is my road (Orgel Version)
Music：カノン

4. Where`er you go～Cavalleria Rusticana～ ♫
（Anime Guin Saga Insert Song）
Lyrics：カノン / Composition：Pietro Mascagni

5. 届かぬ想い～Moonlight / Todokanu omoi~Moonlight / Desire that doesn’t reach~Moonlight ♫
（Anime Guin Saga Insert Song）
Lyrics：カノン / Composition：Uematsu Nobou

6. Where`er you go～Cavalleria Rusticana～ (Orgel Version)
Composition：Pietro Mascagni

7. Saga～This is my road (English Version)
Songwriting：カノン

Purchase
→  CDJapan
→  HMV
→  Sony Music Shop
→  YesAsia

FYI: Sarah Brightman also made a cover for the theme of Mascagni’s opera, Cavelleria Rusticana.  The song is entitled Attesa from her 2008 album, Symphony, which I HIGHLY recommend.

Full Version
Guin Saga ED
04 May 2009
(O.A. 13 Jun 2009)
NHK ANISON NODO JIMAN
Official Site
Creds: hiro

Saga～This is my road

Artist: カノン (Kanon)
Lyrics: カノン (Kanon)
Composition: カノン (Kanon)
Crossover:

• Harpsichord Suite No. 4 in D Minor, HWV 437: Sarabande (G. F. Handel)
• Mass

Translation: mink

Background Vocals¹:
Benedictus qui venit (Blessed is He who comes)
In nomine (In the name)
In nomine Domini (In the name of the Lord)
Osanna in excelsis (Hosanna in the highest)

This is my road, being led
Here I stand, I’m here
The promise that the days and years
Have taught me is beyond the stars
The far memories of father and mother
The voices I can hear when I close my eyes

This is my road, I will walk
As I overcome the endless time
This is my life, I will open the door and
Together with my destiny
I will carve the path

I pass through the thorny path
And head towards You, who I can’t see yet
Seeking love without any falsehood
I continue to pray without looking away

This is my road, I will walk
As I overcome the endless time
This is my life, I will open the door and
On tomorrow’s map
The path continues to be carved out

Background Vocals²:
Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy)
Christe eleison (Christ, have mercy)
Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy)

Spoken Bridge:
This is a journey, a great journey
I can see the light, the path,
The light of hope, happiness, and peace
And it’ll take me home

This is my road, I will walk
As I overcome the endless time
This is my life, I will open the door and
Together with You
I will carve the path

¹Latin
²Greek

The wait is over at last!  Kanon is such a beautiful woman and the full song is beyond words.  Feel free to post your comments here because I’m sure Kanon visits the site.  (^_^)

キセキ Song of Love (Kiseki Song of Love / Miracle Song of Love)

Artist: カノン (Kanon)
Lyrics: カノン (Kanon)
Composition: カノン (Kanon)
Crossover: Canon in D Major (Johann Pachelbel)
Translation: mink
Preview: ♫

Believe in the power to create miracles
Believe in yourself with courage
Make Believe

Believe and Pray Forever
If there’s a song in your heart
The power to sing a miracle is in your hands

Everyone walks along with anxiety in their hearts
Continuing to search for the unseen answer in the deep darkness…

Believe and Pray Forever
As long as the heart sings
The power to sing a miracle is in your hands

Although the bird that lost its wings can’t fly in the sky
I wanted to find the strength to love
My weak self

Believe and Pray Forever
As long as the hearts seek out each other
The power to fly high into the large sky is in your hands

The song that flows on the hill where the wind blows is the Song of Love…

The miracle is that you, you, and you are living here right now
The miracle is that you, you, and you make the dreams you dreamed of come true

Believe and Pray Forever
If there’s a song in your heart
The power to sing a miracle is in your hands

Oh You make believe
The large power to sing of the future that shines brightly is in your hands

To sing a Song of Love…

Some time ago, Kanon performed a live English version of this song on the radio featuring the piano, cello, flute, and a hammered dulcimer.  Well, at least that’s what it sounded like to me!  Anyways, a beautiful Christian rendition.

キセキ Song of Love (English Version)

Artist: カノン (Kanon)
Lyrics: カノン (Kanon)
Composition: カノン (Kanon)
Transliteration: mink

Believe and Pray Forever
Let no more fear surround your heart
Have faith in yourself and there will be a miracle when you truly believe

When you are sad and feeling down just look up to the sky, there’s no need to cry
The Lord will always be there for you
He’ll guide you through the darkness
Embrace you with His love

Believe and Pray Forever
Let no more fear surround your heart
Have faith in yourself and there will be a miracle when you truly believe

Because it was an incredibly challenging experience, I ended up channeling all my worries into making music for the Lord.  And, because I loved classical crossover, I decided to make my first crossover arrangement based on Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major.  More about this arrangement will posted at a later date…

Fast forwarding to this past Easter Sunday (which also happened to be my birthday), I decided to continue the “crossover legacy”, if you will, with Vision of Jupiter:

Arrangement by ゼラ (Zaroh)
Performance by ゼラ (piano) & Erial (flute)
[Recorded 04.12.09]

Based on:
- The Planets, Op. 32: IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (G. Holst)
- Be Thou My Vision (Traditional Irish Hymn)

Variation on a Theme

I chose to base my arrangement on Jupiter and the hymn, Be Thou My Vision, as a reminder for us all to keep our eyes on the “big picture” in life and to not become blinded by the things which have little value in the end. Moreover, we oftentimes wonder why bad things happen to good people, but I believe that there is a reason for everything good and bad in life. Everything has its season according to God’s great Purpose.  Vision of Jupiter essentially represents my desire to see life through the eyes of God…

Thoughts and (constructive) comments are welcome!  Fear not – more installments to the Crossover Legacy Series are on the way.  In the meantime, I invite you to participate in this series by sharing YOUR arrangement based on Jupiter.  For some powerful inspiration, be sure to check out Ayaka Hirahara’s Jupiter!

The Gran Suite CM
Official Site

The Gran Suite finally renewed their site!  Moreover, I was incredibly happy to find that they included a TVCM Gallery since 3 of the CM’s feature one of Kanon’s newest (unreleased) songs, Sea of Love.  Hmm…kinda makes me want to get married…Just kidding!  p(*＾-＾*)q But I’m definitely loving the song.  Really can’t wait until her next CD release, whenever that will be…

Gloria (English Version)

Artist: カノン (Kanon)
Lyrics: カノン (Kanon)
Composition: カノン (Kanon)

Just like the river that flows into the ocean
Your love pours into my soul
You are my shelter, you save me from my fears
Turn the night into day

†I can hear you calling my name
And from my heart I pray

Gloria, oh my redeemer, you set me free
Gloria, keep me forever, safe in your love

Just like the flower
That blossoms in the spring-time
Your love grows inside my heart
You are my savior you wipe away my tears
Leading me all the way

†Refrain

Gloria, oh my redeemer, you set me free
Gloria, keep me forever, safe in your love

Recommended

Gloria
Artist: カノン (Kanon)
Comments: This is the Japanese version of Gloria, which was released as a single in 2005.  The English version, which came with different instrumentation, was released earlier in Kanon’s debut album, Hymn of Grace.  However, the mix I posted above was extracted from the Destiny mini album.  (Yes, how confusing!)  Some of you probably came to know Kanon from Angel Heart, a manga-based anime series which featured Gloria as an insert song.  Lyrics are secular but beautiful nonetheless.

Song of Glory
Artist: Ashmont Hill
Comments: A moving worship song from the new Christian artist group, Ashmont Hill.  An outpouring of gratitude, love, and awe for the One Almighty.

22 Mar 2009
J-MELO
Official Site
Creds: hiro

Lingering Snow~なごり雪 (Lingering Snow~Nagori Yuki / Lingering Snow~Lingering Snow)

Artist: カノン (Kanon)
Lyrics: 伊勢正三 (Ise Shozo)
English Lyrics: カノン (Kanon)
Composition: 伊勢正三 (Ise Shozo)
Arrangement: カノン (Kanon)
Transliteration: ゼラ (Zaroh)

As you wait for the train to come along
I’m watching the time pass by
And the snow,  out of season,
Falls on us

This will be the last snow that I will see
With you in this town
So sadly I move over to your side

And the lingering snow
Just in time for the show
After all we went through
We chose to say goodbye

†And now spring has come
And you are more, more beautiful than ever
Yes, you are beautiful more than ever

And as the train starts to move
You put your face against the window pane
I can see that you are trying to murmur something

Just so afraid to see your lips
Move to say goodbye
I looked down, oh, how I looked down

As the time goes by
You will soon realize
That the girl who used to be
Won’t be there anymore

†Refrain

And the lingering snow
Just in time for the show
After all we went through
We chose to say goodbye

†Refrain

Recommended

なごり雪
Artist: 平原綾香 (Ayaka Hirahara)
Comments: Although many artists have covered this popular folk song over the years, Hirahara’s version is one of the most captivating.

Guin Saga ED
Official Site
Creds: Zero-Raws + ゼラ

Saga～This is my road (TV Size)

Artist: カノン (Kanon)
Lyrics: カノン (Kanon)
Composition: カノン (Kanon)
Crossover:

• Harpsichord Suite No. 4 in D Minor, HWV 437: Sarabande (G. F. Handel)
• Mass

Translation: mink

Blessed is He who comes
In the name
In the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest

This is my road, being led
Here I stand, I’m here
The far remnants of father and mother
The voices I can hear when I close my eyes
This is my road, I will walk
As I overcome the endless time
This is my life, I will open the door and
Carve the path along with my fate

With a breathtaking opening reminiscent of Baroque period mass, Saga~This is my road invites the listener to embark on a personal epic journey…It’s been several months since Kanon’s last release, Wings to Fly～翼をください/虹/明日への鼓動. I have to say that I definitely was not disappointed when I first heard this song.  It was love at first “hearing”, I guess you could say.

The opening lines in Latin are taken from J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, one of Bach’s most prolific sacred works the collection of sacred works known as Mass – the Sanctus and Benedictus hymns of the liturgy, to be more specific.  They are actually based upon the Gospel of Matthew (see below), although originally written in Greek.  Those who are Catholic are probably more familiar with Bach’s Mass.  Perhaps you can say that Mass is a genre of its own.  J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 is a prime example. Since I belong to a Protestant denomination, I probably wouldn’t have been able to decipher the Latin if I hadn’t took Latin in high school – and 5 yrs of it at that!  (Although, at this point, I’ve pretty much forgotten all.)

Benedictus qui venit
In nomine
In nomine Domini
Osanna in excelsis

Obviously, Kanon makes reference to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem in the last days before His crucifixion (Matthew 21:1-11).  The song then goes on to say how we, too, should have courage (and faith) to face whatever lies ahead, to live in the name of the Lord.  Although Jesus foreknew His destiny to the bloodstained cross, although He could have chosen otherwise, He chose that path out of love for us.  He would rather die than to leave us in darkness…Now that’s what I call the essence of love.

Didn’t you tell me you can’t control fate?
And that you can abandon it if you want?
But if that fate is what keeps you alive…
It’s no longer choice. It’s destiny.
- Yool, translated from Goong

What’s also really interesting is that the first episode of Guin Saga was televised on Palm Sunday itself!  I would not be surprised if Kanon had written the lyrics the way she had to further emphasize her message.

In regards to the composition itself, I just love how the piano follows suit after the organ.  It’s almost like a transition from Baroque to Contemporary, from the old to the new.  At the same time, she maintains the sacred aria theme in keeping the background choir.  The orchestration is heavenly and Kanon’s soft, angelic vocals complements perfectly.  I am dying in anticipation to hear the full version!

Edit (4/19) ♪♫

So, I just discovered that the background music for the song’s brief overture comes from Handel’s Sarabande!  Such genius!  Many thanks to miruchii @ YT.

Edit (4/24) ♪♫

See text highlighted in maroon above.  Thanks to Makoto-san for the correction!

Recommended

Harpsichord Suite No. 4 in D Minor, HWV 437: Sarabande
Artists: Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Alex Briger & Stephen Johns
Composition: George Frideric Handel
Comments: So beautifully dramatic that it makes you want to cry.  Apparently, it was popularized in the UK film, Barry Lyndon (1975), as the main title music.  Bet you didn’t know that!  （＾＿－）☆

Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: Benedictus
Artists: Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan & Peter Schreier
Composition: Johann Sebastian Bach
Comments: Although I bought Gardiner’s full 2-CD version of Mass, I prefer this violin version of Benedictus, which is probably the most poignant section of the entire work.

Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: Osanna in excelsis
Artists: English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner & Monteverdi Choir
Composition: Johann Sebastian Bach