Magical Musical Night
Jul. 18th, 2004 12:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anysiaSuperb.. excellence unsurpassed, and then some.
The guest conductor wrung every note of liquid music from the orchestra. No off notes, perfection. Entrancing. I have not heard the like in too many years. I have resolved to not wait that long again. The orchestra was not incidental music to fill in when the TaikOZ drummers weren't playing. W.A.S.O. did a great job and kudos to them.
Then, 7 of the most wonderful, athletic specimens of humanity entered in a disciplined procession. They take their places, sitting lotus fashion, behind their drums. One of them stays in the front, playing a japanese wooden flute. Ethereal, soul touching, mesmerising. He glides over to his drum and also sits lotus fashion.
Ceremonially, they pick up their drumsticks. Softly, almost imperceptibly they start letting the tips gently, rhythmically dance on their drums.. sounding almost like the patter of rain. The tempo increases, as does the volume, until they are playing so fast, their arms are a blur of motion. Slowly, they slow the beat until they are, again, almost imperceptbly playing. Then each one, in turn, plays a small tattoo, trading off on key and beat with each other. It slowly builds again, and again, tapers slowly to silence. Then they come to a halt.
Two get up, and walk up to the big festival drum. It slowly begins, like rolling thunder from a distance, growing louder until it is a cresendo of bass percussion. Then, they played the Taiko Festival Drum, and I mean they played it. It was so hypnotic for me, I started to lean over the railing as if that would bring it closer to me. It filled me, and reached deep inside until I could hardly breathe. Each drummer would trade off, one playing the main rhythm, the other playing a counterpoint rhythm. Poetry in motion and music was never better than this. It built up and built up, until it's finale, leaving me breathless. I had not heard such an exquisite performance in over 12 years.
Then three of them take their places at the three drums on the right side of the stage. Precision playing, artistry, the endurance, and stamina. Again, I found myself leaning towards the stage.
A sudden inrush of breath. The applause was almost deafening. They stood and bowed in unison to the audience, pivoted and bowed to the orchestra. Again, bowed to the audience as we gave them the accolades as we could. They walked offstage with a proud carriage, as they should.
After at least 10 solid minutes of applause, they came out for an encore. One with a drum, just him playing it. Then the floutist came in. Three of them walked over to the larger drums on stage, and one came out with chappa cymbals. It was artistry in music, almost a dance amongst them and with them. Again, I was transported to a different place, feeling and seeing the music as if it was part of me. When the encore was over, again, overwhelming applause for almost 15 minutes.
Then orchestra played "Pictures at an Exhibition" as their final piece.... they were brilliant. The conductor exacted perfection from them time and again.
I can still feel the drums in my heart. And I hope it never fades again.
The guest conductor wrung every note of liquid music from the orchestra. No off notes, perfection. Entrancing. I have not heard the like in too many years. I have resolved to not wait that long again. The orchestra was not incidental music to fill in when the TaikOZ drummers weren't playing. W.A.S.O. did a great job and kudos to them.
Then, 7 of the most wonderful, athletic specimens of humanity entered in a disciplined procession. They take their places, sitting lotus fashion, behind their drums. One of them stays in the front, playing a japanese wooden flute. Ethereal, soul touching, mesmerising. He glides over to his drum and also sits lotus fashion.
Ceremonially, they pick up their drumsticks. Softly, almost imperceptibly they start letting the tips gently, rhythmically dance on their drums.. sounding almost like the patter of rain. The tempo increases, as does the volume, until they are playing so fast, their arms are a blur of motion. Slowly, they slow the beat until they are, again, almost imperceptbly playing. Then each one, in turn, plays a small tattoo, trading off on key and beat with each other. It slowly builds again, and again, tapers slowly to silence. Then they come to a halt.
Two get up, and walk up to the big festival drum. It slowly begins, like rolling thunder from a distance, growing louder until it is a cresendo of bass percussion. Then, they played the Taiko Festival Drum, and I mean they played it. It was so hypnotic for me, I started to lean over the railing as if that would bring it closer to me. It filled me, and reached deep inside until I could hardly breathe. Each drummer would trade off, one playing the main rhythm, the other playing a counterpoint rhythm. Poetry in motion and music was never better than this. It built up and built up, until it's finale, leaving me breathless. I had not heard such an exquisite performance in over 12 years.
Then three of them take their places at the three drums on the right side of the stage. Precision playing, artistry, the endurance, and stamina. Again, I found myself leaning towards the stage.
A sudden inrush of breath. The applause was almost deafening. They stood and bowed in unison to the audience, pivoted and bowed to the orchestra. Again, bowed to the audience as we gave them the accolades as we could. They walked offstage with a proud carriage, as they should.
After at least 10 solid minutes of applause, they came out for an encore. One with a drum, just him playing it. Then the floutist came in. Three of them walked over to the larger drums on stage, and one came out with chappa cymbals. It was artistry in music, almost a dance amongst them and with them. Again, I was transported to a different place, feeling and seeing the music as if it was part of me. When the encore was over, again, overwhelming applause for almost 15 minutes.
Then orchestra played "Pictures at an Exhibition" as their final piece.... they were brilliant. The conductor exacted perfection from them time and again.
I can still feel the drums in my heart. And I hope it never fades again.
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no subject
Date: 2004-07-18 09:39 pm (UTC)It was all booked out when I went to book. *sigh*
I got their DVD of a performance last year in Sydney.
Even that is good. Nothing, nothing compares to the sound of those drums.
I still and always will have fond memories of playing them when I was in Japan.
Regularly :)
no subject
Date: 2004-07-19 12:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-19 12:23 am (UTC)I also got their DVD, and I turn up the T-Bass, and when the big drum is played, I can feel it the same way I did the night I was there.