Soundtrack Vol.1 of NHK Taiga Drama “Berabou” will be released on February 5th! Contains 23 songs, including the pre-released main theme "Glorious Edo" and "Berabou Kikou I" featuring cellist Dai Miyata.

The original soundtrack Vol. 1 of NHK’s taiga drama “Berabou ~ Tsutajuei Hanano Yumebanashi ~”, which began broadcasting on Sunday, January 5, 2025, will be released on February 5th.

This year’s taiga drama is about Juzaburo Tsutaya (starring Yokohama Ryusei), also known as “Tsutashige,” who laid the foundation for Japan’s media industry and pop culture, and who continued to pursue entertainment even when he was sometimes noticed by his superiors. A thrilling entertainment drama filled with laughter, tears, and mysteries, depicting a life full of ups and downs!

When it comes to music, John Graham, a native of Virginia, USA, loves literature, history, art, and Japanese literature, and also composed the music for the historical drama “The Kirin is Coming” (2020).

Starting with the main theme “Glorious Edo” that represents Tsutaju’s life, conducted by Tatsuya Shimono and the NHK Symphony Orchestra, the show incorporates the splendor and colorfulness of the Edo period, including the celesta, shamisen, dulcimer, koto, finger cymbals, and the rare zimbalon. A beautiful tone is also added to create the music of “Berabou”. “Berabou Travelogue I” features Japan’s leading cellist Dai Miyata.

In addition, the main theme “Glorious Edo” will be distributed in advance on Sunday, January 19th, ahead of the album.

◆Profile

John Graham (composer)

Born in Virginia, USA. With parents who are university professors, he grew up in an environment where he was familiar with books and art from an early age. He loves literature, history, and art, listens to Beethoven and Stravinsky, and admires the literary works of Henry Fielding and George Orwell. However, he does not stay in the peaceful realm of academia; he plays the saxophone, sings in a band, and enjoys loud music as a student.

While majoring in music at Williams College, Stanford University, and the University of California, Los Angeles in the United States, he aspired to create “music that shares emotions and experiences with people” and decided to work as a theatrical soundtrack composer. All the events that I encounter in my life, such as my daily life filled with humor, the joy of love, the struggles of raising children, chores at work, and mourning for things that have been lost, become the source of my creations, and when I compose music, I always pour my heart and soul into the sound. I’m here.

Representative works include the NHK taiga dramas “Kirin ga Kuru”, “Royal Treatment”, “Kingsglaive Final Fantasy XV”, and “Devil May Cry 5”.

“Berabou Travelogue I”

Dai Miyata (cello)

In 2009, she became the first Japanese person to win the Rostropovich International Cello Competition. He has won first place in every competition he has participated in so far. His overwhelming performances have earned him great support from composers and co-stars, and he has also been highly praised by world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa, making him active internationally as one of Japan’s leading cellists.

Graduated from Geneva Conservatory in Switzerland and Kronberg Academy in Germany.

The instrument used was a 1698 A. Stradivarius “Cholmondeley” loaned by Ueno Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

◆Release information

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