Composer’s Notes Hideaki Kuribayashi 栗林秀明 Emu / 絵夢 / Picture Dreams Hideaki Kuribayashi 栗林秀明 / 1976 Emu was inspired by the sound of the late autumn wind at the mountain temple, Katsuoji; the wind blowing through the fields and mountains at dusk. The composer is...
Composer’s Notes Michio Miyagi 宮城道雄 Haru no Umi / 春の海 / The Sea of Spring Michio Miyagi 宮城道雄 / 1929 Haru no Umi’ is one of Miyagi Michio’s best known works, frequently heard in Japan at New Year. Composed in December 1929 as a duet for koto and shakuhachi, it...
Composer’s Notes Classical Koto Music Akikaze no Kyoku / 秋風の曲 / Autumn Wind Mitsuzaki Kengyo 光崎検校 / 1800's This piece consists of two sections; the first, purely instrumental, in the style of classical danmono, the second a sequence of songs with koto...
Composer’s Notes Hikaru Sawai 沢井比河流 Aka e / 朱へ / Towards Red Hikaru Sawai 沢井比河流 “Aka” is a color of the painted inside of Shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute). While played it will flow down from the fingers of a player, fill the air and make the minds full. Then...
Composer’s Notes Tadao Sawai 沢井忠夫 Akogare / あこがれ / Longing Tadao Sawai 沢井忠夫 / 1972 Some of Tadao Sawai’s early works were characterised by melancholic themes. However his wish was also to weave more uplifting melodies into his works. This particular piece shows...
