Steffen Schleiermacher- Calligraphy - Japanese Avantgarde Music 1960-2012

Label: MDG

Released 2016

Steffen Schleiermacher, a global player in the field of contemporary music, once again presents astonishing new finds, now from his latest journey. His new album, Calligraphy, focuses on Japanese avant-garde music between 1960 and 2012. Toshio Hosokawa, Toru Takemitsu, Joji Yuasa, Keijiri Satoh, and Seiichi Inagaki represent a broad spectrum of Japanese compositional artistry. No matter how different these works may be, the increasing interest in the thousands of years of musical tradition in their country more than justifies their presentation together. This is not the first time that the innovative composer and pianist has turned to an exclusively Far Eastern program. After his first CD with Japanese music and an excursion to the Indonesian archipelago, Calligraphy represents the third volume in this little series. And once again he produces a very rewarding audio portrait of a musical landscape meriting greater notice in the West.

Track listing:

1. Toshio Hosokawa (b. 1955) “Mai – Old Japanese Dance Music” (2012)
   
2. Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996) For Away (1973)
   
3. Keijiro Satoh (1927 - 2009) Calligraphy For Piano (1960)
   
4. Toshio Hosokawa (b. 1955) “Haiku” For Pierre Boulez (2000)
   
5. Seiichi Inagaki (1935 - 2003) Piano Piece III “Enkeh” (1992)
   
6. Toshio Hosokawa (b. 1955) Melodia II (1979)
   
7. Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996) Rain Tree Sketch II (1992)
   
8. Joji Yuasa (born 1929) Projection Esemplastic (1962)