Programme Note
Rose Absolute was inspired by a perfume of the same name, Rose Absolue, created by the French perfumery Annick Goutal located near the Place Vendome in Paris. Rose Absolute is the most beautiful and pure rose of roses. The image of this composition, sounds and colors came to my mind instantly when I visited the shop and was handed a beautiful bottle of the perfume with a lovely scent of roses. The piece was written as a floral bouquet for a lover, as my personal, romantic present.
Rose Absolute was commissioned by the Michael Vyner Trust in England. It was first performed by the NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, on 1 December 2002.
© Karen Tanaka