Ito, Teiji – “Watermill” – [Tzadik]

Watermill was a 1971 collaboration of Teiji Ito and Jerome Robbins for the New York City Ballet. After Teiji’s death, the work was lost but a chance meeting between Robbins and Teiji’s brother Genji led to Genji’s reconstruction of the piece.

Very lovely use of instruments from many cultures and voice produce subtle yet engaging music. Especially attention grabbing are the flutes, such as the Japanese shakuhachi and a variety of bells. Somber, contemplative, warm sounds.