Search - Akira Ifukube, Takuo Tamura, Pro Musica Nipponia Ensemble :: Bintatara: Selected Works Of Akira Ifukube

Essential Ifukube

Erik Homenick | San Diego, California | 06/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though Akira Ifukube is best known for his film music, he was also one of the most prolific composers in Japanese history. He composed an impressive body of concert pieces, and this recording focuses on some of his chamber works.



The first track, MONO YU MAI, was written for the 20-string koto. The inventor of that instrument, Keiko Nosaka, is the performer on this recording and brings the flowing melodies of MONO YO MAI to life with her flawless technique.



Next is Ifukube's exciting VIOLIN SONATA. Written for solo violin and piano, this three movement piece if full of Ifukube's tradmark rhythmic vitality and penchant for writing memorable tunes.



THREE LULLABIES AMONG THE NATIVE TRIBES ON THE ISLAND OF SAKHALIN is written for soprano and piano. In the late 1940's, Ifukube became quite interested in the musical traditions of the natives of Sakhalin island (Russia) and this piece is the result of his studies thereof. Sung in the original languages, THREE LULLABIES is a real curiosity, a fascinationg composition.



The higlight of this recording is BINTATARA, written for 16 traditional Japanese instruments. Brimming with exotic Asian textures and sonorities, this masterful composition is pure Ifukube: folk-inspired melodies, ostinato dance rhythms and electrifying percussion.



This recording belongs in the hands of any Ifukube collector, or indeed anyone with an interest in Japanese or Asian music. Highly recommended.



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