Miki Aoki - Belyayev Project - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Rumon Gamba directs the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for the third instalment of his exploration of Overtures from the British Isles. As in the case of the previous volumes, the recorded repertoire is rarely played, and the album includes three world premiere recordings. All the works were composed in a period of eleven years, between 1938 and 1949, against the background of the horrific world events of that era. Presenting an eclectic mix of musical styles, the album, like it's predecessors, sheds light on some wonderful discoveries, passionately and enthusiastically performed by orchestra and conductor.

In 2018, the music of Ozu's films has been revived by the Japanese pianist Miki Aoki. Spending most of her life abroad, she told me that Japanese composers and their works were not so familiar to her, but that she was very drawn to my father's music. My father's vintage works have been revived in this new era by a talented artist Miki Aoki. These piano works are absolute gems in every sense. I hope you enjoy the music of my father, Takanobu Saito, works which transcend into this new era. The beginning of the story of this album goes back to 2015. I was sorting through my father's belongings when I came across an old cassette tape. The tag on it said Ozu Yasujiro memorial piano album composed and played by Takanobu SaitoInch. I had no idea what this could be, and since I did not own a cassette tape player I could not listen to it. But the curiosity stayed in my head and I could not stop thinking about what might be on this cassette tape. I finally went out and purchased a new cassette tape player. On this tape was my own father playing the music from Yasujiro Ozu's films. There were main themes and polkas from the films InchTokyo StoryInch, InchEarly SpringInch, InchTokyo TwilightInch, InchEquinox FlowerInch, InchFloating WeedsInch, InchLate AutumnInch and InchAn Autumn AfternoonInch for all of which my father composed the music.Inch (Tamio Saito, son of Takanobu Saito)

This new features French baroque lute music played by lutenist Toyohiko Satoh on an original instrument from 1611. On this album, Toyohiko Satoh explores the musical connection between the French Style Brise and the Japanese aesthetics of Iki, creating a unique new interpretation of the French lute repertoire. The Japanese lutenist Toyohiko Satoh (????) is one of the most influential lute players of the last century. Born in 1943, he is now looking back on a career of over 40 years of lute playing, including 35 years teaching as a professor for lute at the Royal Conservatory of Den Haag, the Netherlands. Besides being a performer, he is also composing music for chamber ensembles and solo lute, as well as researching and writing about music.