Teiko Kikuchi
Birth of the Bass Koto
Camerata (Japan) 1987
CMT-1101 (LP) w/obi.
sleeve : EX+(some very slightly dirts.)
media : EX-/EX-(light noises.)
An album released in 1985 by Teiko Kikuchi, a performer who played an active role in the world of modern Japanese music for many years as a player of the 17-string koto, an instrument designed by Michio Miyagi to handle the bass parts in ensemble performances. The album features commissioned works by Joji Yuasa, Masanori Fujita, Takashi Yoshimatsu, and Makoto Fujiwara. Track A1, composed by Joji Yuasa, is a song based on five haikus by Matsuo Basho, performed in an ensemble with koto. Track A2, composed by Masanori Fujita, is a duet with Junko Arase on marimba. Track B1, composed by Takashi Yoshimatsu, is a duet with Masazo Nakagawa on flute. Track B2, composed by Makoto Fujiwara, is a solo performance on the 17-string koto. All the pieces represent modern music that goes far beyond the realm of traditional Japanese music. Recommended.
A2: Van Allen
B2: Birth of the Bass Koto