Customer Reviews

Japan: Kabuki & Other Traditional Music

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

 

 

While this CD and this type of music in general is usually for devoted fans, The Ensemble Nipponia makes this an interesting experience. The tracks are filled with classic shamisen (japanese 4 string guitar), as well as bamboo flutes, and many other instruments. The tracks hold stories within their notes, and the listener call only imagine what classic Kabuki actions are used to portray these stories. All-in-all, this CD is a very smooth, relaxing listen, and can help a listener learn what Kabuki music is really like, as well as relax the mind and let his troubles go. In parting, I highly recommend this CD for anyone interested in Japanese culture or Kabuki, and I also recommend it for anyone who is curious as to what it sounds like.

Generally speaking, the Nonesuch Explorer Series is pretty reliable if you're looking for good CDs of international music, and that definitely holds true for this wonderful CD of Japanese music. As with the other Japanese music releases in this series, the music is performed by Ensemble Nipponia, which is a fine choice--these folks are superb musicians who have something of a knack for performing traditional Japanese music in a manner both very authentic while approachable to the modern ear...just the right balance really.

Speaking of balance, this album's tracks divide up pretty evenly between the "Kabuki" music (tracks 1-4) and the "Other Traditional" music (tracks 5-8). the Kabuki selections are, as is fitting, dramatic and energetic. If you like the sound of the shamisen, you'll love these selections, and there is an emphasis on musical pieces with less dialogue and more dance. The "other traditional" includes a track of shakuhachi flute music and then another form in the genre of musical drama besides Kabuki, namely the Recitation of "The Tale of the Heike" accompanied by the biwa lute. The last two are modern compositions in a neo-traditional mode, both really fine, one a beautifully haunting melody on the koto and the other an evocation of the lively and tumultuous music of a shrine festival.

Whatever your level of interest in Japanese music, I highly recommend this CD. In authenticity and listenability it makes for a fine intro, but as a longtime dyed-in-the-wool fan of Japanese music I find myself listening to this CD again and again and enjoying it every time.

I don't have a lot to add about this cd over what has already been said. Any one who enjoys classical Japanese performance music will like this. Being a fan of Kabuki - Bunraku - and other performances as well as a fan of the Shakuhachi - Biwa - and Koto, I found this cd very good. I enjoy the stories that the singers have to say. If you like this cd, you should also look into getting Kwaidan on DVD. The story of Hoichi the earless sounds much like this cd. Overall a most for fans of international music.

I got this CD for Chistmas last year and have listened to it about 50 times, I love it. The performers are very talented and the songs are all very sonorous and almost hypnotic using a specific rythm that is supposed to unlock the primal energies that connect us. The performances almost transport the listener back to Tokugawa era Japan. As a student of Japanese culture I found this to be very helpful in giving me insight to some of the motivating factors in that society.

I recommend it to anyone with an open mind, it's definately not like the music heard on the radio today and could be a little shocking if you are not ready for it's primal nature.

An interesting collection demonstrating the variety found within traditional kabuki music.

A collection of traditional Japanese vocal & instrumental music; if you're looking for flashy ethnic background music, this isn't your CD.