Daily Joy: Sounds of Hawaii

From the Top alum Joshua Akira Nakazawa is cellist for the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and founder of Mana Music Hawaii. Here he performs “Kuu Pua i Paokalani” by Queen Lili`uokalani with his colleagues Eric Silberger (Violin), Mann-Wen Lo (Violin), and Duane Padilla (Viola and Arranger).

About the Music:
Queen Lili`uokalani was overthrown on January 17th 1893, and confined to her palace room as a prisoner and charged for conspiracy of treason. During this time she composed many pieces of music.  One of them “Kuu Pua i Paokalani” tells the story of how one of her loyal supporters gathered and wrapped flowers from her garden in newspaper so that she could read the news while in confinement.

While in isolation due to the COVID19 crisis, this quartet is recording an album featuring compositions written by Queen Lili`uokalani and arranged by Duane Padilla.

Learn more about the Mana Music Hawaii project.

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