Based in Toronto, Nagata Shachu is one of the only group’s in North America sponsored by four major taiko manufacturers in Japan. In addition to having recorded five CDs of original music and a two live DVDs, Nagata Shachu, produces its own annual concert where it premieres new works and collaborates with guest artists.
Their main focus is to bring back the ancient art of Japanese folk drumming with new exciting music. They are renowned for their physically demanding performances and diverse musical pieces.
This unforgettable experience combines distinctive drumbeats with flawless, intricate rhythms featuring Japanese taiko, gongs, bells, wooden clappers, shakers and bamboo flutes resulting in a percussionist’s delight.
What makes Nagata Shachu so unforgettable, besides their beautiful drumming, is how athletic the group is while they play. Their physical intensity seems unstoppable as they move gracefully across the floor with choreographed movements that have the precision of martial arts. Not only do you get a musical performance, you get a great dance experience as well.
Come join us on Wednesday April 25th in this breathtaking celebration of Japanese life and culture that will be amazing to children and adults alike.
Performers:
Kiyoshi Nagata, artistic director
Aki Takahashi
Scott Kusano
Akemi Akachi
Tony Nguyen
Program:
Taichi no Sakebi
Uchiwa Daiko
14-14
Nebuta
Hon Choshi
Koku
Intermission (15 minutes)
Araumi
Harukoma
Enya Totto
Gokan
Furyu
Pulse Progressions
Miyake
Program Notes:
Tonight’s program is approximately 110 minutes including intermission.
Taichi no Sakebi (Shouting Earth) from the CD ‘Koku’ composed by Kiyoshi Nagata
This piece is about the unpredictable and sometimes violent moods of mother earth, as well as its devastating consequences, especially when humans do not respect her formidable power.
Uchiwa Daiko composed by Kiyoshi Nagata
Uchiwa Daiko are hand held, fan-shaped drums originally used by the Nichiren sect of Buddhism as well as to accompany the chanting of itinerant shamans. This piece attempts to explore the various sounds, textures and rhythms that can be created by this simple instrument.
14-14 from the CD ‘Tsuzure’ composed by Aki Takahashi
Taiko is dance. Each subtle movement of the body is intimately linked to each beat of the taiko. While the various beats interplay and tangle, the drummers concentrate, keeping the body both tense and flexible, responding to the feedback from each beat of the bachi (drum sticks) against the drum skin. In this piece, the taiko and bachi generate a multitude of sounds and expressions, which transform and evolve in a cycle of fourteen.
Nebuta composed by Kiyoshi Nagata
This style of drumming, where the taiko is worn around the player’s shoulder, originates from the Nebuta Festival held in Japan’s northern Aomori Prefecture every August. The festival features a series of nighttime parades of enormous paper floats lit from within, depicting legendary figures.
Hon Choshi from the CD ‘Kiro’ composed by Aki Takahashi
A voice cries out in the night. The shamisen follows, echoing through the darkness. Other sounds appear, and then disappear, hidden in the shadows. Through the window, a mournful breeze enters, stirred by the shakuhachi.
Koku from the CD ‘Koku’ composed by Kiyoshi Nagata
This piece is performed on the massive O-hirado daiko. The first half of the song is composed and is accompanied by three taiko and a gong. The second half is improvised, allowing the soloist to play freely and unbounded. Koku, or 'Empty Sky', suggests the idea of achieving a higher state of being when playing this physically demanding piece.
-Intermission 15 min-
Araumi (Stormy Sea) from the CD ‘Koku’ composed by Kiyoshi Nagata
A haunting shinobue (bamboo flute) melody accompanied by the large O-Daiko drum and a small Buddhist bell begins this piece representing the calm before the storm. The frantic playing of the high–pitched shime daiko, punctuated by deep drumbeats portrays the stormy sea in full force.
Harukoma (Spring Horses) composed by Kiyoshi Nagata
During the early winters of Japan, many horses are born and are kept indoors until after New Years. When they take their first steps outdoors, the young horses run wildly about the fields until springtime. This is considered a good omen.
Enya Totto traditional arranged by Aki Takahashi
This is a traditional fishermen’s song from Miyagi Prefecture in which the main chorus ‘enya totto’ is chanted to coordinate the efforts of rowing the oars.
Gokan (Five Senses) from the CD ‘Koku’ composed by Kiyoshi Nagata
This piece features five individual solos on the shime daiko, chappa, miya daiko, nebuta daiko and O-daiko respectively.
Furyu (Floating) composed by Kiyoshi Nagata
Based on a Chinese flute melody, Furyu or ‘floating’ features two bamboo flutes (shinobue) accompanied by hyotan (gourd shakers) and taiko.
Pulse Progressions composed by Kiyoshi Nagata
As the title suggests, an underlying pulse can be heard throughout this piece even though the actual rhythms are constantly changing and developing.
Miyake traditional arranged by Kiyoshi Nagata
This drumming style, where the players swing back and forth in an elongated and strenuous stance, originates from Miyake Island, one of the Seven Islands of Izu. Between the choruses, freestyle solos are played.
