Michael Udow

Wind Ensemble

Composer's Note:

Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) was a renowned Japanese ukiyo-e artist, best known for his iconic woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa, part of his celebrated series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. Born in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Hokusai began painting at a young age and trained under several masters before developing his own distinctive style that blended traditional Japanese techniques with Western perspective and composition. Over his prolific career, he produced thousands of prints, paintings, and illustrations, covering subjects ranging from landscapes and nature to the supernatural. Hokusai constantly reinvented himself, adopting over 30 different names throughout his life, a reflection of his restless creativity and pursuit of artistic perfection. His work had a profound influence not only in Japan but also in Europe, where it inspired Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists.