KA-GU-LA:
Ritual of the WindKA-GU-LA:
Ritual of the WindAkao observes that "performing artists blow a new wind through closed societies. They are the modern-day shamans who use their bodies as the medium to link people to the natural world." Yokobue (transverse bamboo flutes) master, Michiko Akao, and percussionist, Midori Takada, perform music evocative of ancient Japanese traditions - from folk songs to the kagura, the rites of music and dance used to invoke the presence of deities and from which form emerges the very basis of Japan's performing arts. Distributed by Deep Listening® Publications.
HI-KA-LI:
wind reflectionsContinued explorations into the mythic origins of the sound of the yokobue, the family of Japanese transverse bamboo flutes. Five commissions (and premiers) of music from 1982 to 1991 with Akao on flutes, Nachiko Maekane, percussion, Carl Stone, electronics, and Kodo on Japanese drums. Featured composers are Masanori Fujita, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Isao Matsushita, Carl Stone and Maki Ishii. Distributed by Deep Listening® Publications.
Item number AM-CD-2; Compact disc $18.50
KI-NO-KOE:
voice of treeAkao's most recent recording includes works by Michiko Akao, Somei Satoh, Akira Nishimura, Haruna Miyake and Teizo Matsumura. An exceptional release featuring compositions still very new and relatively obscure to listeners outside of Japan. Distributed by Deep Listening® Publications.
Item number AM-CD-3; Compact disc $17.00
Born in Tokyo, Michiko Akao is a pioneering artist of the yokobue. She is recognized for establishing transverse bamboo flutes as solo instruments in contemporary music. Akao has commissioned an original repertory of over 100 compositions for the yokobue. She made her US debut in 1972 in Maki Ishii's Sogu II with Seiji Ozawa and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. She was awarded the Distinguished Artist Prize by the Japan Ministry of Education in 1982. She has performed widely in Japan and North America and participated in major music festivals in Europe and Asia.
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