This was also the year that many people died in Africa from starvation. As a person who had experienced similar suffering before and after the end of World War II, Miki could not be silent. Rather he felt that he must express his condolences and anger for that situation. He therefore composed the first slow section as a static requiem, and the second fast section as lively resurrection. The title "Marimba Spiritual" is as expression of the total process. ... The world premiere was given on March 18, 1984 at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam with Ms. Abe and the Nieuwe Slagwek Groep Amsterdam. After the premiere, Ms. Abe premiered the piece in many countries in Europe and America, each time with different percussion ensembles. After its publication by Ongaku No Tomo Sha, Tokyo in 1989 (NORSK MUSIKFORLAG A/S for Europe and America), countless groups performed the piece probably several thousand times. Also, many CDs of this piece exist in the world. In 1988, the Safri Duo played the piece with only two people. The recording was so excellent that Miki gave them permission to arrange the piece and named the result "Marimba Spiritual 2." The Safri Duo performed the piece more than 700 times all over the world throughout the 1990's. Both the original piece and "Marimba Spiritual 2" have frequently appeared in many different venues, from TV CM to numerous contemporary music festivals.