Kenjo
| [Жанр] | Taiko |
Kenjo appears on the following albums
| Альбом | Исполнитель | |
 | Taiko no Sekai |
Сякухати : Riley Kōho Lee |
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In this piece I have taken several taiko instrumental forms and styles and fused them in a way that is true to the spirit of each tradition, but which extends them rhythmically and contrapuntally. The opening, for instance, introduces thematic material played by the middle voice chudaiko accompanied by the higher double-time rhythms of the shimedaiko. The joyful tones of the bamboo flute join the drums and reflect the celebratory nature of the taiko, harking back to their festival origins. After a solo from the chappa cymbals, the shakuhachi and percussion improvise together to create a kind of "night music': This section pays homage to the Kabuki theatre hayashi ensemble - the musicians playing behind the bamboo curtain at the side of the stage who use their wide array of sounds to evoke certain moods, places and times of the day specific to the on-stage drama. A quick change of one trio of drummers for another fresher one heralds the entrance of the giant O-Daiko. Weighing in at 250 kilograms, this drum is the most physically demanding to play. Though the volume of its sound is immense, the O-Daiko is said to be able to lull a baby to sleep, for the rhythms represent the heartbeat in the womb. Certainly over time, the concentrated power and inventiveness of the player transcends its physical presence and becomes a meditative experience for performer and listener alike. Calling all the players into its voluminous embrace, the O-Daiko leads the ensemble in a complex web of rhythms and counter-rhythms culminating in a climax of almost frightening intensity. | ||