Artbook: Ishida Atsuko

On her 8th GENUIN CD, the Japanese flutist Atsuko Koga once again proves her incredible musicality and versatility. This time, she presents works for flute, violin, and cello with the internationally award-winning violinist Riyo Uemura and the world-renowned cellist Georgiy Lomakov. The high-caliber trio performs music from the past four centuries, ranging from examples of Classical works by Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven to Claude Debussy's delicate flourishes, Heitor Villa-Lobos' and Eugène Bozza's moderate modernism, and Yassen Vodenitcharov's miniatures inspired by Classical Antiquity in a world premiere recording.

Groovy, psychedelic, droney and hypnotic, Atsuko Chiba's latest offering takes listeners down a path of epic sprawling soundscapes. Water, It Feels Like It’s Growing is as stylistically diverse as it is thematically-anchored, as oddly catchy as it is thoroughly challenging. Asymmetric, yet seamless time signatures, otherworldly synthetic frequencies, patented harmonies, raga-inspired melodies, cryptic lyrics and orchestral arrangements co-exist within this surreal musical tale recounting one’s relation to their environment.

This is the latest album by Kyoichiro Kori, a trombone player who is active in the Siena Wind Orchestra. Includes Spark's masterpiece "Trombone Concerto", Stravinsky's "Pulcinella Suite" played on the trombone, and "Venice Carnival" famous for trumpet. It is an ambitious work to challenge difficult songs that require a considerable amount of skill. A profound sound that conveys the spirit of Kyoichiro Gun. I also listen to the beautiful piano of Atsuko Kaminaga, who supports her wonderfully.