Shakuhachi: The Japanese Bamboo Flute

by Richard Stagg

Overview

First it must be admitted that listening to solo melody instruments -- except those which, like the piano, can provide their own accompaniment -- takes a lot of patience. Either that or a passionate love of the sound of the instrument in question. The shakuhachi is the sort of instrument one could fall in love with. It is a back-blown, five-hole flute, traditionally made of bamboo. It has a breathy, woody timbre similar to the Middle Eastern nay and distinct from the silvery tones of the Western flute. On this disc, the shakuhachi is played by Richard Stagg, who is a flutist in the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He was trained by a Japanese master and has performed in Japan, so his credentials are good, even though he is not Japanese. Some tracks stand out, even to a non-aficionado: "Shingetsu (New Moon)" uses a low, reverberating phrase to set the mood; "Gekko Roteki (A Flute in the Moonlight)" is a slow, sinuous, sad piece that calls up images of flowers and moonlight. This disc is not for everyone, but it is beautiful. ~ Kurt Keefner

Product Details

Release Date:	10/28/2014
Label:	Arc Music
UPC:	5019396254121
Rank:	139992

Tracks

1. Daha: The Beating Of The Waves
2. Shingetsu: New Moon
3. Tamuke: Offering
4. Hi Fu Mi No Hachi Gaeshi: One, Two, Three, Return The Bowl
5. Akita No Sugagaki: Piece From The Akita Region
6. Kumoi Jishi: Celestial Lion Dance
7. Gekko Roteki: A Flute In The Moonlight
8. Aki: Autumn
9. Portrait Of Genroku: Song From Fukushima
10. Kiso Melody: Song From The Nagano District
11. Soran Bushi: Fishermen's Song From Hokkaido
12. Haru No Umi: The Sea In Springtime

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Richard Stagg   Primary Artist,Shakuhachi,Soloist

Technical Credits

Roger Mayor   Audio Engineer
Richard Stagg   Audio Production,Producer,Liner Notes,Arranger
Hossam Ramzy   Audio Production,Producer
Dave Knowles   Audio Engineer,Engineer,Mixing
Roger Mayer   Mixing,Engineer
Traditional   Composer
Diz Heller   Mastering
Fukuda Rando   Composer
Jesse Reuben Wilson   Cover Design
Barbara Papadopoulos   Typesetting,Layout Design
Kan Yoshida   Cover Photo
Hozan Yamamoto   Arranger,Composer
Tadashi Ikeda   Photography
Higuchi Taizan   Composer
Michio Miyagi   Composer
Takashi Ikeda   Photography
Syuhei Hirose   Photography
David Knowles   Mixing,Engineer
Anonymous Composer   Composer