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Kangetsu

Kangetsu

Yamamoto Hōzan
RCA - JRZ-2575
1978

Track Title Kanji Length Artist
1  Play Button Kangetsu 寒月 16'25 Shakuhachi: Yamamoto Hōzan
Shakuhachi: Kawamura Taizan
Shakuhachi: Ishigaki Seizan
This composition was written in February 1911. The entire composition consists of three movements. In solo parts of the first two movements every note features the tremendous scene of the moon shining in a winter night. The second movement, which begins with a keen high. pitched tone, is especially impressive. The composition makes a complete change in the third movement which contrasts with the first two movements. It is performed by ensemble in three parts at slow tempo and gives calmness and tranquility to listeners.
2  Play Button Kojo no Tsuki (Tozan) 湖上の月 08'57 Shakuhachi: Yamamoto Hōzan
Shakuhachi: Ishigaki Seizan
This composition was written in late autumn of 1922. The first movement begins with solo which is followed by ensemble at slow tempo. Frequent use of tremolo at the end of each phrase and the change of solo and ensemble are the characteristics of this movement. The second movement is written in three-eight time and has a lilting tempo. It features the scene that the moonlight reflecting on the surface of the lake trembles like ripplet.
3  Play Button Iwashimizu 岩清水 17'36 Shakuhachi: Kawamura Taizan
Shakuhachi: Yamamoto Hōzan
TOZAN NAKAO composed this masterpiece of Tozan-ryu (the school of Tozan) at Iwashimizu- Hachimangu shrine in Kyoto in October 1904. This composition is mainly written for solo Shakuhachi, but the third movement is played by ensemble in two parts. The climax of the entire composition is the second movement which requires the interpreter varied techniques. The first movement features the autumnal appearance of Hachimangu shrine in a deep forest, the second movement the scene of spring water's streaming through rocks, and the third movement the scene of streamers' gathering to a river.
4  Play Button Yuzuki 夕月 09'52 Shakuhachi: Sakai Suizan
Shakuhachi: Yamamoto Hōzan
TOZAN NAKAO composed many works with moon as their theme. This composition was written in Tokyo in April 1927. The first movement, written in four-four time and at slow tempo, begins with a sweet theme which appears several times alternately in varied forms. The second movement is written in three-four time. The tempo become faster and faster, and the dialogue becomes more and more frequent. The short coda which reminds us of the recurrence of the theme is very impressive.