SANTA MARIA
(1978/2002)

Icon of the Virgin Mary, 16th century

Santa Maria is a harpsichord composition by Akira Ifukube. Originally, this piece appeared in the 1978 Toho film, Ogin-sama (Lady Ogin).

For a brief period during the 16th century, the Portuguese and Dutch were permitted influence in Japan, resulting in a considerable number of Japanese converting to Christianity. By the late 16th century, a reaction against these outside influences was in full sway. In this film, Lady Ogin is unable to marry her lover because he has become a Christian, and Christians are being persecuted by the Shogun Hideyoshi. This tragic romance is based on a story by Toko Kon.

The piece's title makes obvious reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

In 2002, Sumina Arihashi, a Japanese harpsichordist, released an anthology CD of harpsichord compositions called Cembalo Revolution. Wanting to include works by Ifukube on her recording, she approached the composer and asked for harpsichord scores. Ifukube remembered the harpsichord piece he had written for Ogin-sama and offered it to Arihashi for inclusion on her recording.

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Thanks to Reiko Yamada for providing information about this piece. The movie synopsis is by Clarke Fountain of All Movie Guide.

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Copyright 2009 Erik Homenick. All rights reserved.