Ichiro Suzuki (Guitar) - Ichiro Suzuki : Intimate - Import CD

Credits:

Ichiro Suzuki (Guitar)

Description:

Ibs of Spain presents an album celebrating the 75th anniversary of world-renowned guitarist Ichiro Suzuki, who has premiered guitar works by Takemitsu Toru, Brouwer, and others. Born in Kobe in 1948, Suzuki studied guitar with Yasumasa Ohara before moving to Europe in 1970 to study with Andres Cecovia. He also received advice from Piazzolla and Ponce. After returning to Japan in 2007, Suzuki continued his musical activities in Europe, North and South America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and the United States, Since his return to Japan in 2007, Suzuki has been invited to perform in Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia, and elsewhere. Suzuki has been active in commissioning works by contemporary composers, premiering Toru Takemitsu's "To the Edge of a Dream," Kishu Hirayoshi's "Requiem," and Leo Brouwer's guitar concerto, among others. While introducing works by Japanese composers to a wide overseas audience, he has continued to explore the horizons of guitar music through collaborations with jazz players Larry Coryell and Yosuke Yamashita. This album is a condensed version of his international career. The musical journey from the Spanish Renaissance composer Narvaez to the works of Yosuke Yamashita concludes with "Waltz of Cherry Blossoms" written for Suzuki by the Ukrainian bandora player Gerasimenko, leaving a deep and lingering impression. The booklet includes a Japanese translation of the commentary by José Manuel Baena Herrera.In early October 2021, CD recording began over five days at the Agustin Church outside Granada, Spain, with the cooperation of the Ibs Classical staff. The session took place amidst the spread of a new coronavirus infection. There were few people in town, and commercial facilities such as post offices and restaurants were not open for business.Even in October, Granada in Andalusia is hot, exceeding 30 degrees Celsius every day, but in the unique atmosphere of the church, which is a little cooler than usual, we started recording Narvaez's "The Emperor's Song" while checking the soft sound of the song. The soft and beautiful sound of Fernando Sor's "Moonlight" was recorded in a double recording. In addition to the traditional guitar masterpieces, this recording includes "Waltz of the Cherry Blossoms" by Toru Takemitsu, Minoru Miki, and the Ukrainian composer Oksana Gerasimenko. The group has been constantly striving to discover new repertoire, and this time they took on the challenge of jazz works. This time, we tried our hand at a jazz piece: Dear M, by jazz pianist Yosuke Yamashita. It was a dream come true for me to play this sweet, sad, and beautiful ballad on a single classical guitar. I would also like to thank the staff of Ibs and my many friends who supported my wish. I am very happy to receive this CD, which is a commemorative CD for my 75th birthday this year. -- Ichiro Suzuki Naxos Japan