Yoshimatsu, Takashi (1953-) - Piano Works for the Left Hand : Yumiko Oshima-Ryan - Import CD

Credits:

Die Freitagsakademie

Description:

This is a recording of a major piano piece for left hand written by Takashi Yoshimatsu for his close friend Izumi Tateno and performed by Yumiko Oshima Ryan, who is active in the U.S. Tateno, who has been based in Helsinki since 1964, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at the end of a concert in January 2001, leaving him paralyzed on the right side of his body, but he has decided to start performing with his left hand. He decided to start performing with his left hand in the repertoire. Composers who admired Tateno contributed new works one after another. Among his works, those by Takashi Yoshimatsu, an admirer of the Finnish composer Sibelius, are especially popular because of their clear sound and familiar musical ideas. Tapiola Vision" is a scene from the land of Tapio, the Finnish god of the forest, while "Ainola Lyric Pieces" was inspired by the image of the mountain villa where Sibelius lived during the latter half of his life. Both are lyrical and beautiful works. The Gauche Dances, named after the French word for "left hand," is a delightful genre-crossing work in the style of Yoshimatsu. Yumiko Oshima Ryan was born in Tokyo. She studied at Toho Gakuen School of Music and received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Music, and since 1995 has incorporated contemporary Japanese works into her repertoire, performing in Tokyo, Toronto, San Juan, and elsewhere. He is Professor of Piano at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota.She said of these pieces, "These pieces were born from images of nature, such as wind, water, light, birds, and Tapio, the god of the forest, but because the music was written for Mr. Tateno, who was ill, they evoke the strength to face and overcome difficulties. Whenever I play these pieces, I realize the great power of music to work on the human soul," he says. Naxos Japan

Yoshimatsu Collection List