Search - Japanese Traditional, Hidemaro Konoye, Anonymous :: The Japanese Album

Of cherry blossoms and temple bells...

Veggiechiliqueen | 07/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Japanese Album was my first foray into the realm of traditional Japanese music, and after eleven years this disc is still my favourite. The music is delicate, refined, and mysterious. It is a blend of both East and West, featuring the harpsichord, flute, violin and cello along with the traditional sounds of the koto, shakuhachi, and Japanese percussion. Excellent performances by Jean-Pierre Rampal, Isaac Stern, and Yo-Yo Ma, and a rather unexpected forward and recipes from Martha Stewart make this an unforgettable disc for dining, studying, or simply relaxing."

Highly enjoyable

timothy hilliard | usa | 05/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even if you don't know much about Japanese music it is very easy to enjoy this disc.Traditional instrumental tunes are mixed in with contemporary compositions,played on a diverse collection of instruments including the koto.With Isaac Stern on violin, Yo Yo Ma on cello and Jean-Pierre Rampal on flute the performances are top notch.All in all a delightful album for relaxing,reading,dinner, or a long,hot bath."

Softener for the ears...

Ferdinand | Germany | 08/25/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I am not satisfied with this version of traditional Japanese music at all. In my opinion traditional Japanese music is much more impressive and intense when played on original Japanese instruments. The best example is "Sakura, sakura", one of the most famous Japanese songs. When it is played on Koto and Shakuhachi (Japanese flute) instead of transverse flute it has a different feel and much better quality of expression.



The whole CD is like a softener for an audience which might not be used to a non western sound. At the same time it will get a wrong idea about what Japanese music is and will miss its real quality."