Arioso, Op. 127 - SMC917 | Musica

During more than thirty years of teaching at the university of Kansas, James Barnes has enjoyed working with many graduate students. One of the most exceptional of these was Naoya Takizawa, who came to KU from Tokyo, Japan in 1995. After a couple of years of study in the Intensive English Program, Naoya took several classes with Professor Barnes, while completing his Masters Degree in conductiong. During this time, Noaya also served on the staff of the band library at KU. Since returning to Japan, Mr. Takizawa has served as an interpreter when Mr. Barnes travels there to conduct. Takizawa was recently appointed to conducting staff at Senzoku Gakuen, a very large music college in Kawasaki.

In 2006 Naoya Takizawa and Haruko Nakayama announced their plans to be married. When Barnes asked Haruko what she wanted for her wedding present, she requested music to be written in honor of their wedding. Arioso was premiered by the Edelweiss Brass Orchestra at the newlywed's wedding reception on 1 July 2007 in Tokyo, with the composer conducting.