Search - Reiko Kimura, Tadashi Tajima :: Music for Koto

Reiko Kimura, Tadashi Tajima
Music for Koto
Genres: International Music, New Age, Pop

Track Listings (5) - Disc #1
1. Midare - Reiko Kimura, Kengyo, Yatsuhashi
2. Shikyoku Ichiban [Po?me I pour shakuhachi et koto] - Reiko Kimura, Matsumura, Teizo
3. Rhapsody for Twenty-String Koto Solo - Reiko Kimura, Miki, Minoru
4. Higashi Kara [From the Easter Parade] - Reiko Kimura, Miki, Minoru
5. Ame No Uta [A Poem of the Rain] - Reiko Kimura, Sato, Yoko

CD Details

All Artists: Reiko Kimura, Tadashi Tajima
Title: Music for Koto
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Celestial Harmonies
Release Date: 1/16/2001
Genres: International Music, New Age, Pop
Style: Far East & Asia
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 013711319125

Synopsis

Album Description

This exquisite recording presents five pieces from the repertoire of koto performers in the field known as 'gendai hogaku,' or contemporary music for Japan's traditional instruments. Performers in this field play on the traditional 13-string koto and two of its 20th century variants: the jushichigen ('17 strings', bass koto) and nijugen (literally '20 strings' but now as a rule with 21).Performers in this field have generally undergone early training in the classical repertoire, but it is very uncommon for them to include pieces from that repertoire in their solo or group recitals. This trend is indicative of a shift in direction, away from the vocal towards the instrumental that is currently shaping the future of new composition for the original and newly-developed versions of Japan's traditional instruments.The traditional koto is a long zither with thirteen strings stretched over a hollow shell made of kiri (princess tree or paulownia) wood. The strings are held up over the body of the instrument with movable bridges whose positions can be changed to produce a great variety of tunings. From its ancient introduction to Japan from the Asian continent until the early decades of this century, the instrument went through no major changes in construction. The situation has changed dramatically, however, since the 1920s, as a number of versions of the instrument with more strings were developed to answer demands for greater instrumental versatility.Reiko Kimura says this about her choices for this disk: "I selected the pieces to facilitate a broad understanding of music for the koto, including a range of pieces from the classical Midare to a recent piece by a young composer. In addition, two of the contemporary compositions included are classical in atmosphere: Matsumura's Shikyoku Ichiban and the second half of Miki's Higashi kara, which has the independent title Godan no Shirabe, thus acknowledging a debt to the classical danmono form. The only piece from the classical repertoire is Midare, but the inclusion of two contemporary pieces with a classical atmosphere should make for a natural flow from classical to modern."

CD Reviews

A Classic CD of Contemporary Koto Music

Crazy Fox | Chicago, IL USA | 06/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, the folks at Celestial Harmonies have done it again. Having already treated us to "The Art of the Koto" in three volumes, now they bring us this interesting, unique, and overall very nice CD of koto music. The performance is top-notch, the music is beautiful, and the crystal-clear sound quality brings these traits out to the full.

The focus of this CD is on contemporary koto music, making it somewhat similar to "The Art of the Koto (Volume 3)" in some ways, though it is not exclusively concerned with the 21-string koto as that CD is. Still, the 21-stringer shows up here along with the good old 13-string standard, which makes for a pleasant variety of sound. Track 1 is an old classic from the 1600's, but it is a favorite of the contemporary repertoire and so is included here (it also serves to give some context to the rest of the album). All the other tracks range in time from 1969 to as late as 1999. Matsumura Teizo's piece on track 2 manages to capture the feel of classical koto music in a way that is fresh rather then repetitive, while Miki Minoru's two compositions (Tracks 3 & 4) highlight his versatility and innovative flair--the incorporation of Javanese Gamelan music in "Higashi Kara" is especially striking. Finally, the subtle wistfulness of Sato Yoko's "Ame no Uta" (track 5) is incredibly moving; we can rest assured that the future of koto music is in good hands.

As with the other CDs by this company, the liner notes leave nothing to be desired. The context of the music featured on the disc and the development of different koto models in the twentieth century are aptly explained, and each track is discussed in detail suitable both to the casual listener and the music expert--including a brief description of the composer. Finally, a full bio on the careers of the two performers (mainly Kimura Reiko on koto but also Tajima Tadashi on shakuhachi flute for the second track) rounds it out. Heck, even the artwork on the cover gets a quick paragraph. All of this is a fine testament to the seriousness with which this product has been put together.

Unlike the "Art of the Koto (Volume 3)" which is a bit more esoteric, this CD stands alone fine and is a great sample of contemporary koto music. I can highly recommend it both to the long time koto-connoisseur and to the first-time listener."