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Aki for Two Shakuhachi

二つの尺八のためのアキ

[Genre]Modern
[Composed]Hirose Ryōhei - Shakuhachi - 1969

History:

Hozan Yamamoto commissioned this composition to Hirose. The composition received its premiere at Yamamoto's 2nd recital in 1969. The work was originally intended for the duo performance of Yamamoto and Katsuya Yokoyama, also noted Shakuhachi player.

The Japanese title means 'autumn' and the composition captures the innerscape of autumn of Japan such as of pantheistic animism of plants and birds, mystic dialogues, lament, meditative introspection, rich and transparent air, tender love for nature, a scene of carnage, violent cry…

At the premiere in December 1969 (and again at some later time) Yamamoto played the high part (scored for either 1.8 or 2.1 shakuhachi), and Yokayama the low part (either 2.1 or 2.3).

Aki for Two Shakuhachi appears on the following albums

Album Artist
Play ButtonHibiki - Contemporary Music for Japanese Traditional Instruments - 3 Shakuhachi : Yokoyama Katsuya
Shakuhachi : Yamamoto Hōzan