Sample
Click the start button below to listen to an extract of Kuyômon, sung by Junko Ueda
CD: Satsuma-Biwa
(ARN64577):
the recent solo CD by
Junko Ueda performing traditional biwa music as well as a
modern-style composition by Toru Takemitsu.
The
Biwa Vocab is a vocabulary
catalogue of the satsuma-biwa. Here you can find
information about various playing techniques, about the
notation and tuning system, the instrument as well as
its history. Also, the
Biwa Vocab offers you a collection
of sound samples of the various playing styles in
mp3-format. The
Biwa Vocab has been created for
anyone interested in the satsuma-biwa. However,
especially composers, who interest to compose for the
satsuma-biwa and would like to know more about the
instrument, are invited to use this
Biwa Vocab.
JunkoUeda.com is
hosted by
Studio E
The
Ancient Voice of Shomyo: Japanese Buddhist Chanting:
Since old times, music often goes together with some
ritual ceremony. Also, shomyo is a rite-music. Literally
translated, the word “shomyo” combines the characters for
“voice” and “wisdom”. Usually shomyo is sung by a group of
monks in a Buddhist ceremony. In Japan, its history is
about 1200 years old, represented specially by the
chanting-styles of Tendai-shomyo and Shingon-shomyo. It is
regarded as fundamental for all later Japanese music.
Shomyo combines the Buddhist ceremony with a particular
musical concept, in which breath-control and
breath-expression are practised. Various melody patterns
with its remarkable voice colour, pitch bending and
dynamics are created in one breath and repeated with slow
tempo. In the shomyo chanting, the time is related with a
space, in which the recited melody patterns are constantly
piled up.
Sample
Click the start button below to listen to an extract of Kuyômon, sung by Junko Ueda
Sample
Click the start button below to listen to an extract of Kuyômon, sung by Junko Ueda