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cdr|m's
.:: a klangwerk release ..................................................::.
artist :: koto
release :: soemon
year :: 2000
genre :: electronic
label :: sparkling beatnik records
catalogue :: sbr0022
date :: 20-oct-2002
quality :: 192kbps/44,1khz
source :: compact disc
.::.......................................................................::.
01 oto-kirara 11:01
02 kiri no mon 8:53
03 uruma 13:56
04 honky-tonk 9:22
05 spike initiating zone 7:07
06 yume no wa 7:43
playtime :: 00h 58m 02s
.::.......................................................................::.
this cd is the first release by soemon, an ensemble based in tokyo
and comprising exclusively of koto players. the six pieces
presented here are for three to seven koto and bass koto players.
all are recent compositions (nothing older than 1991) and
kuribayashi hideaki's "honky-tonk" is a commission of the
ensemble. classifying this record into world music would not be
doing it justice, as the music, although definitely
exotic-sounding to western ears and evocative of japan, is very
contemporary and closer to western modern classical music and
avant-garde compositions for ensembles than traditional koto
music. each composer explored the possibilities of multiple kotos
sounding together, working with dynamics, harmonics,
tuning/detuning, call and response, etc., trying to widen the
instruments vocabulary. beautiful pianissimo textures are obtained
on "oto-kirata," while "kiri no mon" has percussive overtones
embedded in an almost romantic composition. a gigantic crescendo
ends the rough-edged "honky-tonk," another highlight. soemon gives
the koto a new voice by finding its own sound. unique and
beautiful.
.::.......................................................................::.
greetings :: sb, qdp, sour, dps, it, rac, dh, sfe, hbz, igr and mgc
.::.......................................................................::.