Search - James Ashley Franklin, Tony Wheeler :: Moon Road To Dawn: An Encounter of Chinese and Japanese Traditional Music

James Ashley Franklin and Antony Wheeler were trained initially in Western classical traditions and composition, and then studied in depth in diverse Asian cultures, including detailed study as performers of instruments from these cultures. This recording, Moon Road to Dawn: An Encounter of Chinese and Japanese Traditional Music, expresses itself through fluid interchange of tonal structures, timbral devices and performing techniques, focusing largely on the non-Western instruments, but also incorporating clarinet and saxophone (Antony).James and Antony's use of the Chinese and Japanese traditions can be seen as taking place from a standpoint of insiders to the musical cultures concerned. They are not borrowing sounds they have heard, but rather drawing on traditions they have integrated into their musical (and personal) lives. They are bringing into contact the Asian traditions, with the intention that the encounter may prove to be an enrichment of the traditions of the instruments and their respective cultures.The performances on Moon Road to Dawn: An Encounter of Chinese and Japanese Traditional Music are largely based on spontaneous interaction, rather than planned structures or progressions. Guidelines are often established for these interactions, in the form of a modal area to be explored, a feel for a piece, or an intention to explore particular aspects of techniques for the instruments.The improvisations and compositions of these two musicians on Moon Road to Dawn: An Encounter of Chinese and Japanese Traditional Music deliberately explore the meeting points and differences between the traditions and instruments, drawing on elements of their Western backgrounds as well as their training in Japan (James) and China (Antony).