Various Artists
Ecripse / Gendai Hougaku Meisaku-shu
Victor (Japan) 1971
SJX-7522 (LP)
sleeve : EX(some very slightly dirts.)
media : EX+/EX+(some slightly surface noises. still good condition.)
Originally released on Victor in 1971, this album contains masterpieces of contemporary Japanese music by three composers, including Toru Takemitsu, Yoshio Mamiya and Masao Matsumoto. The A-side "Eclipse (Touch)" by Takemitsu is a duet of shakuhachi (bamboo flute) by Katsuya Yokoyama and biwa (lute) by Kinji Tsuruta, and is Takemitsu's first work using traditional Japanese instruments. B1 is a work for four kotos by Yoshio Mamiya, performed by Sumiko Goto, Akiko Yazaki, Teiko Kikuchi and Mitoko Takahata. B2 is a work for koto composed by Masao Matsumoto, which uses a double-rhythm technique based on rhythmic opposition. Each of these pieces, written for Japanese instruments, presents a different attitude towards traditional music, traditional instruments and their use. The sound quality is excellent, as only a Japanese recording can be.