Koku

Koku

Date Composed:2002
Composer:Kiyoshi Nagata
Arrangement:Kiyoshi Nagata
Premiere Performance:August 19, 2002 – Kingston Grand Theatre
Recording Title:Koku CD

This signature piece of Kiyoshi Nagata features a solo on the ensemble’s largest taiko. The first section is composed, accompanied by three taiko and Chinese gong. The second section is improvised allowing the soloist to play freely and unbounded. The rapid pace of the free section is driven by the atari-gane and sharp decrescendos by the three taiko. The title Koku or ’empty sky’ suggests the idea of achieving a higher state of being when playing this physically demanding piece.