© 2004 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE MUSIC VOL. 1
CD Label King Records
CD Number KICC 2011
Music composed by: Akira Ifukube
& other composers
Music conducted by: Tracks 1 -3: Hiroyuki Iwaki
Tracks 4 - 8: Yukinori Tezuka
Music performed by: Tracks 1 -3: NHK Symphony Orchestra
Tracks 4 - 8: Tokyo Symphony Orchestra
Number of tracks 8
Running time 68:43
Number of discs 1
Year of release/manufacture 01-21-1990

REVIEW

January 16, 2004

This is a good sounding disc consisting of live concerts by two different orchestras with two different conductors. I was a bit disappointed with the volume level of the disc and had to crank the volume to hear it all. Also there really isn't much of anything here we haven't heard before on other discs, especially the Akira Ifukube pieces. That said, it was a pleasant listening experience and if you can find the disc and don't already own these tracks on another disc, then go for it. If you already have this music on other discs then I can only recommend it to the completist.

CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE MUSIC VOL. 1

  1. Rhapsodie fur Orchestra : Yuzo Toyama
  2. Berceuse : Yuzo Toyama
  3. "Kobiki-Uta" for Orchestra : Kiyoshige Koyama

    4. Ballata Sinfonica : Akira Ifukube

  4. First Ballata : Allegro capriccioso
  5. Second Ballata : Andante rapsodico

    6. Sinfonica Tapkara : Akira Ifukube

  6. 1st Mov. : Lento-Allegro
  7. 2nd Mov. : Adagio
  8. 3rd Mov. : Vivace

Tracks 1 -3: NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hiroyuki Iwaki
Tracks 4-8 : Tokyo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yukinori Tezuka