“A place is not rich simply because it has a beautiful natural environment, or because it is blessed with natural resources, or because many skilled craftsmen live there, but because of the relationships that tie these things together.”
Kengo Kuma
The concept of relationships is central to Third Angle New Music’s identity. Third Angle is constantly seeking to create the richest possible listening experiences for audiences, drawing on decades of collaborative experience, and often using extraordinary built environments in the community as visual context for a deeper relationship to the music.
As Mr. Kuma states, it’s the relationships that tie these things together, and that’s exactly the goal with Japanese Music Now, to use music to tell a uniquely Oregon story. The music on this recording was performed in the fall of 2017 in celebration of the opening of the Portland Japanese Garden’s new Cultural Village, designed by Mr. Kuma. This special occasion represented a great opportunity to use Kuma’s brilliant architecture as the inspiration for new musical art, beautifully realized with the world premiere performance of Perpetual Spring by Dai Fujikura, commissioned by the Portland Japanese Garden.
At these performances, the audience also got to hear live performances of the other music featured on this recording, performed by exceptional Third Angle artists. The range of styles represented in these works is incredible, a stirring survey of the vibrancy of contemporary Japanese musical culture.
credits
released July 25, 2018
The recording features Ron Blessinger and Greg Ewer, violins; Charles Noble, viola; and Marilyn de Oliviera, cello—with the addition of Louis DeMartino on clarinet for "Perpetual Spring." Solo instrumentalists are Joe Berger, horn; Jennifer Craig, harp; Evan Kuhlmann, bassoon; and Michael Roberts, marimba.
supported by 6 fans who also own “Japanese Music Now”
My god, what an absolutely incredible Suite. I'll admit, I've struggled to get into Pharoah Sanders due to diving headfirst into some of his most challenging catalogue and that never worked. This is the perfect place to restart. Floating Points is new for me and I can honestly say I've never heard synthesizer music this lush and organic before. the LSO is just perfect. This is one of those albums that any serious music fan needs in their life. The perfect swan song for the great Pharaoh! 5/5 ClassyMusicSnob
supported by 5 fans who also own “Japanese Music Now”
Outstandinng! If you enjoy Gurdjieff/deHartmann, Nils Frahm, Harold Budd, or Satoh, these calm chromatic meditations with delay and microtonality will be special. Please tour the U.S. enolcmelca
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