JAPANESE KOTO ORCHESTRA

Originally, I wanted to post some recordings from the Japan Collection of the UNESCO world music series here, but they are on DAT tape, and I didn't get to make the transfer in time. So here's an equally beautiful substitute, the CD reprint of a rather old Lyrichord LP. Judging by the "patina" of the recording, I'd say it's from the 1960s.

1 - Otone No Nagare Ni Sote (Along the Great Tone River), composed by Tsuyoshi Sakamoto
2 - Nagare (The Stream), composed by Kazuko Tsukushi
3 - Shochikubai (Music of Pine, Bamboo and Plum Blossoms), composed by Mitsuhashi Koto

Featured are different schools of composers, but unfortunately no dates of birth are mentioned, so we're left wondering how old these poetic pieces may be. Without doubt, the lengthy and episodic "Otone No Nagare Ni Sote" is the highlight here. It's played by 5 kotos, hoteki (flute), shamisen and shakuhachi. Some passages, like the chromatic part in the second half, suggest Western classic-romantic influences. The use of illustrative "sound painting", as well as the frequent quotation of phrases and themes from folk music, are amazing - and even ears less accustomed to Japanese music will have a fantastic listening experience.

"Shochikubai", for a trio of koto, shamisen and kokyu (the only bowed traditional Japanese instrument), seems to have something of a Chinese "touch", though that impression may be attributed to the sound of the seldom heard kokyu.

Enjoy, with a nice cup of light green sencha, or hot sake.


Now it's time for me to step back and let grey calx take over. Next from me, in a few weeks: John Cage's "Empty Words IV", as read by humself, and released way back on double LP by the long gone Edition Michael Frauenlob Bauer.

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