Customer Reviews

The Art of the Koto, Vol. 1: Works from the Edo Period

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have more than three dozen recordings of traditional Japanese music in my collection, and this is one that stands out for its purity, musicality and outstanding recording quality. Yoshimura's playing is always definitive, subtle and highly nuanced. "Chidori" is particularly beautiful, with the instruments and vocals carefully placed in the stereo field to evoke a strong sense of live presence. If you can only afford one recording of koto music, buy this one.

This is without doubt one of the best CDs of Japanese koto music out there; I'd give it six stars if I could. The sound quality is crystal clear, the performances inspired and superb, and the music simply beautiful to hear. Most of the selections on this CD are solid classics, standard pieces in the koto repertoire, so as a long-time fan of the koto I've heard many of them before, but the versions on this disc are such excellent renditions that they really came alive.

In terms of the selection, the first two tracks are compositions by Yatsuhashi Kengyo in the 1600's, and more or less mark the origins of koto music as we know it today. Track three moves us into the 1700's with a work by Mitsuzaki Koto, representing developments in koto music from the Osaka scene of the time. Tracks four and five feature developments during the mid-1800's with the work of Mitsuzaki Kengyo and Yoshizawa Kengyo. Again, all five are classics in their own right.

The liner notes for this album are the most extensive I've ever seen for a CD of Japanese music. It is readily apparent that a lot of work went into them, and one gets a real crash course in koto music from reading it--people new to the koto will learn what they need so as to have a pretty good idea what they're listening to, and people who've loved koto music for ages will still probably learn something new (I sure did, anyway). First the historical context of the music is quickly sketched, and then a succinct description of the instrument and its history (keyed to the music pieces on this disc) is given. Next each track is introduced and explained in fine, loving detail (and the main performer relates her rationale for the selection). Even the lyrics to the vocals on tracks three and five are given: first in the original Japanese (transcribed in romanji), then in a literal word-for-word translation, and then afterwards in a smooth idiomatic English rendition. So few CDs bother to do this; I was happily impressed. Musicological details for the music expert are included, too. Finally, each performer is introduced along with a quick summary of her career.

If you are new to the koto, this is definitely the best CD with which to start. But if you're a long-time koto fan don't pass this excellent CD up just because you already have "Rokudan"--I made that mistake for a while, and I'm glad I changed my mind and gave this CD a try. It will make you fall in love with the koto all over again.

The selections on this release are excellent, and the quality of sound is quite good. Yoshimura is talented. At times her performance is somewhat cooler and less inspired than other renderings I have heard. In my opinion, the best recorded koto music is from a Nonesuch Explorer Series LP which never made it to CD format. It's also available as an audio cassette. How unfortunate. Still I recommend looking for it. It's entitled: The Koto Music of Japan, performed by masters Hagiwara, Hatta, Kitagawa, and Kikusui. It is exquisite. Don't be fooled by two releases currently available that have the same title. The other Nonesuch releases by Ensemble Nipponia are also very good.

I am going to get vol 2 and 3 . If you are into accoustic music and guitars , you will love this

from the booklet that accompanies the disc;

" this disc brings together five representative pieces from the classical repertoire for the Japanese koto, composed between the mid-17th and mid-19th century. This corresponds roughly to the period of Japanese history known as the Edo or Tokugawa period (1600-1868), when the country was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family from their castle in Edo, the former name of present-day Tokyo."

This disc does not disappoint. The sound quality is excellent and Nanae Yoshimura is a gifted musician. The five chosen pieces are played chronologically and are representative of the whole Edo period.

Authentic, meditative music

sorry guys this is not the 5 star masterpeice you are led to beleive, i think its three and a half stars, competent but no more. the whole sounds seems rather too clinical, ok acoustic, but it seems intent on serving up some sterilized koto taking no chances, in short, magic is in short supply, i am far from dismissing it (Zangetsu is a good track with heartfelt vocal) but there is far stronger competition. try 4 lyricchord cds koto consort, koto orchestra and soul of koto vol 1 and 2, and EMI hemispheres cd and you have reached koto heaven