Blog Posts

The Art of Fighting Without Fighting

Date Composed:2018Composer:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:Saturday, November 24, 2018 This composition is based on the often-told tale of Japanese legend of the great samurai warrior Tsukuhara Bokuden.  The composition has two parts i) The Battle  ii) Enlightenment.  Dance and choreography by Yuichiro Inoue. ...

Honjo Oiwake

Composer:Unknown - TraditionalArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:April 18, 2007 - Arts Center, Lake Superior State University, MI Oiwake is a type of folksong that originated in the remote mountainous region of Shinshu in Japan. Over the years, travelling horse traders brought them to the northern areas where they...

Ishizue (O-Daiko solo)

Date Composed:2017Composer:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:November 18, 2017 Powerful rhythms and bold movements played across three O-daiko depict the passage of the moon through the night sky. ...

Hida-San

Composer:Unknown - TraditionalArrangement:Aki TakahashiPremiere Performance:November 13, 2003 - Brigantine Room Harbourfront Centre Mt. Hida is a beautiful, tall, rocky mountain especially scenic in autumn. During the annual harvest festival, taiko is always a main attraction. The intoxicating rhythms of the taiko are enough to cause even...

King Worm

Date Composed:2003Composer:Patrick GrahamArrangement:Patrick Graham and Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:November 13, 2003 - Harbourfront Centre Irish drumming’s well known diplomat is a frame drum known as the bodhran. Generally played with a short beater, and using an unusual wrist technique, the modern style of bodhran playing, uses pitch...

Hiru to Yoru

Date Composed:2015Composer:Kiyoshi NagataPremiere Performance:November 28, 2015 - Fleck Dance Theatre “Day and Night” (Hiru to Yoru in Japanese) is an expression often used to refer to two things that in stark contrast to one another. In this case, the two drummers on stage beat the taiko with...

Illuminate

Date Composed: 2019 Composer: Tony Nguyen Premiere Performance: Sunday, March 3, 2019 Marvelous displays of fireworks illuminate the sky, combining rambunctious sounds witha dazzling performance to bring people together one last time. ...

Rise

Date Composed: 2019 Composer: Tony Nguyen Premiere Performance: Sunday, March 3, 2019 The intense light from th sun as it breaks the horizon calls us to start the day.  A solo featuring Kiyoshi Nagata represents the powerful sunlight that fills us with life and energy. ...

Kitsunetsuki

Date Composed:2013Composer:Tony NguyenPremiere Performance:November 22, 2013 - Enwave TheatreRecording Title:Hymus Road CD Kitsunetsuki literally means the state of being possessed by a fox. In ancient Japan, it was believed that those into whom the fox spirit entered (always young woman) would display strange and unusual behaviour....