Aki Takahashi

Harae

Date Composed:2017Composer:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:November 18, 2017 The continuous ringing of bells throughout shrines cleanses the space of any unpleasant spirits.  Priests use a staff to thoroughly sweep at each corner of the room to fully assure the removal of these spirits. ...

Musubi

Date Composed:2017Composer:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:April 7, 2017 - Aki Studio Theatre As if tying a know, four men twist and weave to celebrate the half moon.  They play on drums that face the four cardinal directions in lunging and sweeping motions passing energy to one another.  Loose...

Kaleidoscope

Date Composed:2014Composer:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:Saturday, October 10 - Fleck Dance Theatre A kaleidoscope, which literally means “observation of beautiful forms,” creates dazzling geometric formations of color, shape, and space that changes as you turn the cylinder. Using multiple reflections of beads, pebbles, and pieces of glass, the...

Yuna Uta

Date Composed:2007Composer:Aki TakahashiArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:November 3, 2007 - Strathroy Arts Council This song is sung in the traditional style of women who work in the hot springs, onsen. The music is meant to entertain as well as relax and calm the patrons in the onsen resort. ...

Yamabuki

Date Composed:2010Composer:Aki TakahashiArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:November 5, 2010 - Fleck Dance TheatreRecording Title:Iroha Live Concert DVD YAMABUKI is a deep yellow flower that blooms in late spring. It grows in layers and sometimes its yellow covers an entire hillside. Japanese flutes such as shinobue and shakuhachi are made...

Totto Mesai

Date Composed:2007Composer:Aki TakahashiArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:December 1, 2007 - Ryerson Theatre My first visit to Okinawa came as a big surprise. It was so different from the rest of Japan. I wrote this song to capture the feeling of the local language and the culture. The words...

Tonbi

Date Composed:2010Composer:Aki TakahashiArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:November 5, 2010 - Fleck Dance TheatreRecording Title:Iroha Live Concert DVD The colour of a Black Kite’s (TONBI) wing is actually brown with a hint of red. TONBI glide effortlessly through the air instead of flapping their wings. Builders who work in...

Tokiwa

Date Composed:2010Composer:Aki TakahashiArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:November 5, 2010 - Fleck Dance TheatreRecording Title:Iroha Live Concert DVD The deep green of TOKIWA trees. Like the English words “Ever Green”, TOKIWA implies “Never Changing” since the leaves stays green all year round. Taiko is usually synonymous with movement. Thus, this...

Shirogane

Date Composed:2010Composer:Aki TakahashiArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:November 5, 2010 - Fleck Dance TheatreRecording Title:Iroha Live Concert DVD The word SHIRO [white] originated from SHIRAMU [grow light], which we can see in the morning. It is the purest and most divine colour of all. It will repel every colour and...

Shinonome

Date Composed:2010Composer:Aki TakahashiArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:November 5, 2010 - Fleck Dance TheatreRecording Title:Iroha Live Concert DVD SHINONOME is a pale shade often seen in the early morning sky, slowly changing its colour as the day approaches. It is crisp as the morning air, clear and magnificent, yet...