Lotus is a lotus flower. In Buddhism, the appearance of beautiful, clean flowers that arise from muddy water is regarded as a symbol of Buddha's wisdom and own expense, and is designed in various ways. In addition, there is an idea that one will be reborn on the same lotus flower and entrust himself to the paradise after his death, which is the etymology of the word "Ichiren Takusho".
This album was created in hopes of requiescats the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the regeneration of the disaster areas. It is a collection of the original works all inspired by Sumiko Sato's hometown Iwate.
1. Wayfarer 蒼い旅びと
2. Tree Soul トゥリー・ソウル
3. Sotoyama Trail 外山街道
4. Waltz for the Little Stream せせらぎのワルツ
5. Fascinating Island 魅惑の島
6. Taneyama Fantasy 種山ヶ原の幻想
7. Momiji もみじ
8. We are Stars of Sea, Stars of Sky 俺たち海の星 天の星
楽曲について
1. Wayfarer (for prepared piano)
ピアノの弦に1セント硬貨を挟み込み、音程と音色を変化させて、あらたな音空間を試みた作品。
Coins (pennies) are inserted on seven strings of piano, which creates different timbre and alters pitches on the instrument.
2. Tree Soul
タイトルは作家ル・クレジオの次の言葉に触発されたことから---「人間が自分のことと自分の小さな問題しか考えないということを知るとき、また、樹が誰にも迷惑をかけず、他のものから何も奪いもせず、空に向かって枝を伸ばして立って満足し、じっとしていることを知るとき、樹は(人間にとって)一種の不断の非難となり、また一種の理想となる。-J.M.G.Le Clezio」
Inspired by the words of J.M.G. Le Clezio.
In a conversation with Pierre Rosteau, Le Clezio said:
“Trees have charm. They remain in the same place, immobile without self-affirmation, living a long time. In comparison humans are self-centered. When we know that humans think only of themselves and their trivial problems, while trees interfere with no one and do not steal, to us the tree stands in constant reproach, a kind of ideal.” quoted from “Conversations avec J.M.G. Le Clezio”, author Pierre Lhoste, pub. [Paris], Mercure de France, 1971.
3. Sotoyama Trail
岩手民謡の外山節から着想を得た作品。
Based on a theme from folk song of Iwate, “Sotoyama bushi”, reconstructed it to jazz-rock style.
4. Waltz for the Little Stream
曲中に葛丸川(花巻市)の実際の流音を挿入。
The actual sound from Kuzumaru River (Iwate, Japan) was mixed in the middle part of the piece.
5. Fascinating Island
ガーシュインの音楽をヒントに複合拍子や即興を採り入れ、展開させた作品。
Developed on Gershwin-like ideas, employing polyrhythm and free & fixed improvisations.
6. Taneyama Fantasy
広大な空と草原を舞台に、ファンタジックな世界を描いた作品。
Based on a short, three-note theme by Kenji Miyazawa, it depicts the fantasic landscape of vast grasslands and large sky in southern part of Iwate.
7. Momiji
よく知られる秋のうたをジャズ風~ロック風にアレンジしたもの。
A jazz to rock style arrangement of the well-known autumn song.
8. We are Stars of Sea, Stars of Sky
宮澤賢治の童話「双子の星」の劇中歌としてこども劇団の為に作曲。
Composed for children's theater for the play of Kenji Miyazawa's fairy tale "Twin Stars".
Sumiko Sato is a Composer/Pianist, who finished her doctorate at the University of Washington in composition. She performs
and arranges contemporary/classical works in diverse styles, also improvises freely.
Her works have been performed in US, Canada and Brazil.
ワシントン大学大学院音楽学部作曲科卒業。博士号取得。
国際ロータリー財団奨学生として渡米後、約9年間シアトルで作曲・ピアノを学ぶ。
多様なジャンルを融合し、民俗的な要素を採り入れた作曲と演奏活動を国内外で展開。
作品はノースウェスト交響楽団等によって公演されている。...more
A new EP from Low Leaf expands on the wide-ranging and intoxicating jazz and ambient fusion that defined her earlier work. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 3, 2024
A student at University ISI Denpasar attended rehearsals and ceremonies to capture the most authentic sound of the Balinese Gamelan. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 2, 2024