Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library

Sounds of Spring from Japan - Sunday, April 25, 2010

Washington Toho Koto Society UM Koto Ensemble Kyoko Okamoto, director
Sunday, April 25, 2010 2:00 pm - Dekelboum Concert Hall

The UM Koto Ensemble and the Washington Toho Koto Society join together under the direction of Kyoko Okamoto to present the 38th annual spring Koto recital, entitled Sounds of Spring from Japan. The koto, a stringed instrument similar to the harp, is the national instrument of Japan. The origins of the koto date back to the 5th century, and the instrument is used widely in traditional Japanese as well as Western jazz and art music today. Learn more about the ancient Japanese art of koto playing through these films, recordings, books, and scores:

Films featuring koto players performing traditional Japanese music, including a recording of the 2001 recital of the Washington Toho Koto Society and the UM Koto Ensemble

Recordings of works for koto with various ensembles, including a recording of selections by the Washington Toho Koto Society

Scores of pieces composed for koto

Books about koto playing as well as the history of the ancient instrument

AUDIO CLIP: An excerpt from the most famous piece in the koto repertoire, Rokudan no Shirabe, composed by Yatsuhashi Kengyo in 1644

Sounds of Spring from Japan - Sunday, April 25, 2010

Washington Toho Koto Society UM Koto Ensemble Kyoko Okamoto, director Sunday, April 25, 2010 2:00 pm - Dekelboum Concert Hall

Washington Toho Koto Society UM Koto Ensemble Kyoko Okamoto, director
Sunday, April 25, 2010 2:00 pm - Dekelboum Concert Hall