Date Composed:1994Composer:Kiyoshi NagataArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:December 13, 1994 - Harbourfront Studio Theatre with Toronto Table EnsembleRecording Title:Stone Path CD The chappa are a pair of small brass hand cymbals used in festivals and for Shinto ritual dance accompaniment. In recent years, many new techniques have been developed...
Date Composed:1997Composer:Kiyoshi NagataArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataRecording Title:Tenkai CD The rhythms and laid back nature of the Caribbean Islands were the initial inspirations for this piece although the final song deviated somewhat from this idea. Specifically composed for recording, this piece incorporates two shinobue, rei (Buddhist bell), three atarigane (brass...
Date Composed:2001Composer:Kiyoshi NagataArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:August 19, 2002 - Kingston Grand TheatreRecording Title:Koku CD The haunting sound of the shinobue accompanied by the O-Daiko and rei (Buddhist bell) begins this piece representing the calm before the storm. The frantic playing of the high-pitched shime daiko, interspersed with...
Date Composed:2014Composer:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:October 14, 2014 - Fleck Dance Theatre Sankaku (triangle) is symbolic of many different things. In this piece, the performers form the shape of a triangle which represents spirit, mind and body, in addition to a strong foundation and stability. The drummers must...
Date Composed:2014Composer:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:October 10, 2014 - Fleck Dance Theatre Hokage literally translates to “shadows by the firelight”. This song envisions the dancing, flickering shadows created by an open fire on beautiful summer festival at night. ...
Date Composed:2012Composer:Kiyoshi NagataArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:November 10, 2012 - Enwave TheatreRecording Title:Hymus Road CD In the streets of old Japan, peddlers were extremely common. They were vendors for virtually everything, from vegetables, medicine, baskets and even furniture. They went from house to house and walked enormous distances,...
Date Composed:2012Composer:Kiyoshi NagataArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:November 10, 2012 - Enwave Theatre During the Tokugawa era, farmers were viewed as the foundation of Japan and granted a social standing just below the samurai class. Yet the government made their lives oppressive and wretched. Living under excruciating regulations, many...
Date Composed:1997Composer:Kiyoshi NagataArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:November 18, 2011 - Fleck Dance TheaterRecording Title:Tenkai CD This song envisions the brilliant glow of the sky just before darkness descends in a land not unlike that of Africa. The piece ends in the same manner as it begins, with the...
Date Composed:1997Composer:Kiyoshi NagataArrangement:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:December 6, 1997 - CD Release Concert Toronto Buddhist ChurchRecording Title:Tenkai CD Every year across Japan, hundreds of festivals or ‘matsuri’ are held in honour of the autumn harvest season. This piece was inspired by the vivid images of dancing leaves in...
Date Composed: 1997 Composer: Kiyoshi Nagata Arrangement: Kiyoshi Nagata Recording Title: Tenkai CD Inspired by Ravel’s Bolero, this piece takes a simple rhythmic theme played one by one, on eleven taiko of various tones. As each taiko or voice completes the theme, it joins in on a slow, driving ji-uchi (base rhythm). The...