Album Review
Koji Asano “Suites for Violin and Viola” [Solstice]
The history of pieces for violin and viola goes back a long way – names like Mozart, Michael Haydn, Beethoven, Gli’re, Delius, Milhaud, and Holmboe have contributed to the repertoire, as have more recent (and more KFJC-friendly) big names like Martinu, Maderna (who we’ve recently added as composer and conductor), and Bolcom. Prolific guitarist/musician/composer Koji Asano weighs in with 7 new suites played by Kumi Nakajima (violin) and Masashi Sasaki (viola).
I don’t believe there are any masterpieces here; nevertheless, it’s good listening. It’s very meditative, but more in an academic than an Arvo P’rt kind of way. The performances benefit a great deal by being recorded in a great empty hall – an excellent and intimate way to listen to music.
There are no pyrotechnics or recognizable forms, though there are strong hints of a fugue in #2, and of a gigue (that’s fancy suite-talk for jig) on #3 and #7.
-Cujo, KFJC, March 2006
you heard it 19 times on kfjc! most recently:
- 4559 days ago, Lou Nautique played Suite No. 2
- 4915 days ago, Cousin Mary played Suite No. 1 "Hollersbach"
- 5007 days ago, Dangerous Dan played Suite No. 6
- 5317 days ago, Pax Humana played Suite No. 3
- 5329 days ago, Dangerous Dan played Suite No. 6
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