Takashi Yoshimatsu - Symphony No. 2; Guitar Concerto; Threnody to Toki (Sachio Fujioka)

Information

Composer: Takashi Yoshimatsu

• Symphony No. 2, "At terra"
• Guitar Concerto, Op. 21, "Pegasus Effect"
• Threnody to Toki, Op. 12

Craig Ogden, guitar

Paul Janes, piano

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Sachio Fujioka, conductor

Date: 1996

Label: Chandos

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%209438%20Z

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Review

This is an intelligently programmed CD, reversing the traditional concert sequence of overture-concerto-symphony as have other Chandos discs (for instance of Hindemith – including the Symphony in E flat, 10/92 – and Kaipainen, 2/96). Prior to encountering the present recording, I had heard only one piece by Takashi Yoshimatsu (b. 1953), who is not otherwise represented in The Gramophone Classical Catalogue. He strikes me as a sort of oriental Hovhaness, who looks to North (and Latin) America for exotic inspiration. His accomplished, brightly coloured music is never less than engaging, if occasionally prolix, though I doubt whether an innocent ear would identify it as Japanese.

Much as I enjoyed At terra (1991-2), I wish the composer had not called it a symphony. It is a very effective and exciting suite, and might have made a fine concerto for the cello, which has several important solos (exquisitely delivered by Peter Dixon), but by no stretch of the imagination is it a symphony. The Guitar Concerto (1981) is a welcome addition to a still meagre repertoire, the ecologically minded Threnody to Toki (mourning the extinction in the wild of a rare bird) rather less compelling. Sound and performance quality are uniformly excellent; a very enjoyable disc.

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Takashi Yoshimatsu (born 18 March 1953 in Tokyo) is a Japanese composer. He studied at the Department of Technology of Keio University and taught himself composition, although he has studied under Teizo Matsumura for a short while. Yoshimatsu made his debut as a composer with Threnody to Toki in 1981. Since then, he has composed six symphonies, twelve concertos, a number of sonatas, and various shorter pieces for ensembles of various sizes, including for Japanese traditional instruments. Since 1998, Yoshimatsu has been composer-in-residence of Chandos Records and has published several albums under this label.

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Sachio Fujioka (born 8 June 1962 in Tokyo) is a Japanese conductor. He graduated from the Department of Literature of Keio University and the conducting department of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Following his debut with the BBC Philharmonic in 1993, Fujioka has since appeared with the orchestra at the BBC Proms and has also made a number of recordings for Chandos Records. He has served as Principal Conductor of the Manchester Chamber Orchestra (1995–2000), the Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra (1995–2002), and the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra (since 2007).

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