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"Japanese works for clarinet might be seen as fairly niche repertory, but it is rewarding nonetheless. Although Neil McKay (b. 1924) is a Canadian composer, he has scored his piece Soundprints for clarinet and koto, in an attempt to represent East and West via variation form, concluding with some taps on small, tuned brass bowls. McKay moved to Hawaii in 1965 and it was there he found his affinity with the koto. Melanie Yamada, a member of both the Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestra and the Honolulu Symphony, is an exemplary clarinetist, her superb control everywhere evident. The opening Introduction is marked.freely and is wonderfully gestural before the theme appears in unison. While the piece can also be played by clarinet and harp, the koto adds a particularly place-specific element. There is a touch of jazz, an identifiably Western touch, to the Fifth and final variation. The four Japanese Folksongs arranged for clarinet and piano by Scott Richards act as a delightful interlude. The first, "Flowers of Patience," is gently rocking in its accompaniment, over which the clarinet seemingly improvised its (sometimes highly decorated) melody. "Red Dragonfly" is particularly beautiful, and has an easy flow, while the beautifully flowing "Spring Song" shines with in nocence. The skill of both players is particularly apparent here, in portraying a magnificently care free demeanor. The understated legerdemain of Mariko Fumkawa is a particular delight."
"Rather more elusive is Takeo Kudo's Wooden for clarinet and piano. The composer explains the title as coming about because the clarinet is the "woodiest" of the woodwind instruments; it also references bonsai. The musical language is complex but almost unwaveringly gentle. The same composer's Another Time and Place was commissioned by Yamada. Referencing shakuhachi (Japanese flute) techniques while remaining true to the spirit of the clarinet (an interesting yet obviously rewarding high-wire act), the piece for solo clarinet fascinates in its unpredictability; and in the silken legato of Yamada.
The miracles of multi-tracking enable Sakura-Song-Five to be performed by the one clarinetist, Yamada. Originally written for the 2012 All Japan Band Competition, it is charming and continues the theme of innocence, this time with a somewhat nostalgic bent.
Finally, we have two versions of The Journey of Momotaro for clarinet, piano, and narrator, one narration being in English, the other in Japanese. The story tells of a "peach boy" (he comes out of a peach, obviously), well known in Japanese folklore. Included within the nine-minute piece is an arrangement of the song Momotaro by Teiichi Okano. In English, Michael W. Perry is a fine story teller; I don't pretend to understand Maya Bertosa's Japanese, but her voice has a certain floaty quality that is most appealing regardless. The music itself is, again, charming. A fascinating release, well worth seeking out.
- Colin Clarke, Fanfare magazine, January/February 2017
"Rather more elusive is Takeo Kudo's Wooden for clarinet and piano. The composer explains the title as coming about because the clarinet is the "woodiest" of the woodwind instruments; it also references bonsai. The musical language is complex but almost unwaveringly gentle. The same composer's Another Time and Place was commissioned by Yamada. Referencing shakuhachi (Japanese flute) techniques while remaining true to the spirit of the clarinet (an interesting yet obviously rewarding high-wire act), the piece for solo clarinet fascinates in its unpredictability; and in the silken legato of Yamada.
The miracles of multi-tracking enable Sakura-Song-Five to be performed by the one clarinetist, Yamada. Originally written for the 2012 All Japan Band Competition, it is charming and continues the theme of innocence, this time with a somewhat nostalgic bent.
Finally, we have two versions of The Journey of Momotaro for clarinet, piano, and narrator, one narration being in English, the other in Japanese. The story tells of a "peach boy" (he comes out of a peach, obviously), well known in Japanese folklore. Included within the nine-minute piece is an arrangement of the song Momotaro by Teiichi Okano. In English, Michael W. Perry is a fine story teller; I don't pretend to understand Maya Bertosa's Japanese, but her voice has a certain floaty quality that is most appealing regardless. The music itself is, again, charming. A fascinating release, well worth seeking out.
- Colin Clarke, Fanfare magazine, January/February 2017