Search - Kinshi Tsuruta, Katsuya Yokoyama :: Japan

A Recording of Unsurpassed Beauty and Importance!

Ned Rothenberg | 01/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tsuruta and Yokoyma became known in the west as the soloists for Toru Takemitsu's famous concerto, November Steps. While they were performing the piece in Paris, Ocora made this (originally Lp) recording of each of their solo music. Tsuruta was one of a kind. A way 'out of the closet' gay woman (this is in Japan in the middle of the century!) she performed epic poetry in song accompaning herself on the Biwa, a kind of 4-string lute which is struck with a large plectrum. Atsumori is a beautiful example of her art. Katsuya Yokoyama is an equally important artist, captured at the height of his powers. He performs 4 classic honkyoku, the zen-based solo music of the shakuhachi, the 5-holed, end-blown, Japanese bamboo flute."