For those interested in the fascintating links between Japanese poetic form
and contemporary music, try and catch the most amazing first australian tour
of koto player Miho Yamaji - winner of the National Japanese Traditional
Music Competition, Grand Prize (accompanied by Andrew MacGregor on
shakuhachi)
The program includes a piece by contemporary composer Yoshizaki - Ren-Men.
At a temple, he was shown an old piece of Japanese paper on which was
written a hymn, and composed the piece with the physical image of the poem
in mind.
Miho describes the piece:
"The characteristics of the song are to rapidly develop calmness, despite
the music becoming more and more fervent. ...Yoshizaki's usual
enthusiasm was calmed by the deep emotion of the poem."
It also includes the incredible koto solo "Sanka" about which Miho writes:
"When we encounter the beauty of nature, deep human love and profound art,
our heart is moved and hymns are born, sublimated inside of us, eventually
overflowing to create dreams and poetry."
There are only four australian performances left:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~andyshak/sched2001.htm
The Hobart concert last night was absolutely inspirational :)
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