Early Japanese Guitar Pieces

Media Reviews and Other Information

All works are by composers born in the Meiji era. There are sounds reminiscent of koto music, sounds like enka (Japanese ballad), and new, Western-style sounds. These works, representing the dawn of Western-style music in Japan, are breathed new life into by Yamashita's gentle, warm tone. Deeply flavorful and fresh.

- Content (from the "CD Journal" database)

Although there is no explanation in the materials, what was the background to this project? What were Yamashita Kazuhito's thoughts when he performed these pieces?

This CD is like a window. When you open it, the atmosphere of guitar music that Japanese people breathed at that time rushes in. The physical sensations of the performers playing the guitar at that time are realistically reproduced and conveyed through Yamashita's body.

With the exception of Takei, born in 1890, all the other composers featured were born in 1900 or later. They organized performance groups, published specialized journals, received instruction, and created music in their own unique styles. The imported Western music and instruments, the insufficient performance and composition techniques, the "Japanese" sensibility, talent, and passionate spirit—these are still in a strangely mixed state, before they have clearly established a style or been bound by a fixed direction. Rich, fresh, naive, nostalgic, cultural history, it will surely evoke a wealth of words depending on the listener's perspective. (Yuji Ito) --- September 1999 issue -- Contents (from "CD Journal Review")