Tag ‘Narumi Matsuda’
“First One Earth Tour Concert in Nanyo in 13 Years” by Narumi Matsuda
First Kodo Concert in Nanyo in 13 Years
I am a member of Kodo’s staff and Kodo gave a performance on July 4th in my hometown, Nanyo City in Yamagata Prefecture. This venue has been holding concerts since the 80’s when Kodo began and it is going to close its doors for good soon, so we were invited there as their final event. They began with a Kodo performance and wanted to finish as they had started.
I have a lot of memories of this hall from when I was little and to see the Kodo members perform there, well it was like I was being shown how my past and present are connected.
It’s a small town but the concert was sold out! I think it’s thanks to the great efforts of the hosting committee. The audience got really excited and their response even managed to surprise to the performers.
This venue will disappear but I hope that someday there will be a new opportunity for the sound of Kodo to return here again.
“Sold-Out Komae Performance” by Narumi Matsuda
Thank You for our Sold-Out
“Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery” Performance in Komae!
On June 28, we had a sold-out performance at Komae Ecorma in Tokyo.
After the performance, we finished packing up and got on the elevator to find a surprising message on the wall from the hall staff:
“Dear Kodo members, Thank you very much for your flowing, exciting performance. You first performed here in 1997, then in ’99, 2001, ’04, and ’09. This year was the 6th time. This year’s performance was different from last time, and by that we mean it has certainly evolved! It’s now the second half of your tour and we all wish for its continued success. We hope to see you again! From all of the staff at Komae Ecorma.”
It was a wonderful gift for us. Yes, we will be back!
“Kodo Exhibition at Asakusa Public Hall” by Narumi Matsuda
Kodo Exhibition at Asakusa Public Hall During “Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery” Asakusa Performances
We are holding an exhibition about Kodo on the ground floor of Asakusa Public Hall during our consecutive performances. You can learn about Kodo’s history and our group’s various activities through the broad range of panels on display.
There is also a special corner displaying some of the taiko drums that we use on stage. We hope you’ll come and have a go on them!
Open until 17:00 on June 25 (Wed).
Free admission.
“Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery” Asakusa Performances
June 21 (Sat) – 25 (Wed) Asakusa Public Hall, Tokyo
▼About the Performance
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
▼FINAL ASAKUSA PERFORMANCE TODAY
June 25 (Wed) 14:00
▼Ticket Outlet
Door sales begin at 13:00 at Asakusa Public Hall.
“Getting Ready for the ‘Mystery’ Performances in Asakusa!” by Narumi Matsuda
June 21, 2014
This photo shows the Kodo members and stage crew setting up for the “Mystery” performance.
Now the stage is all set! We hope to see you at Asakusa Public Hall.
“Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery” Asakusa Performances
June 21 (Sat) – 25 (Wed) Asakusa Public Hall, Tokyo
▼About the Performance
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
▼Performance Dates & Times
June 21 (Sat) 16:00
June 22 (Sun) 15:00
June 23 (Mon) 15:00
June 24 (Tue) 18:00
June 25 (Wed) 14:00
▼Ticket Outlets
Asakusa Public Hall Tel. 03-3844-7491
tvk Ticket Counter Tel. 0570-00-3117 http://tvkcom.net/
“Junior Member Rehearsals at Kodo Village” by Narumi Matsuda
Junior members Naoya, Shunichiro and Kengo are practising hard at Kodo Village, preparing for the Kodo “DADAN” performances in Spain and France this July. It will be their first overseas tour and their first big Kodo performance.
Currently two different casts of Kodo members are on tour in Japan, so most of Kodo’s taiko are also on the road and not many are left here for members remaining on Sado to use. So they have to practise with whatever drums & stands are available. Usually this piece is played on hirado-daiko set down on the floor, but today they are practising it up on o-daiko stands. The piece is really powerful like this, too!
You can feel that they don’t want to be beaten by their seniors nor admit self-defeat. I’m looking forward to seeing how much they grow during this rehearsal time while the other members are away.
“Recording of New Piece at Kodo Village” by Narumi Matsuda
At Kodo Village, our performers recently recorded a new piece that will be used to promote the new production that debuts this November, “Kodo One Earth Tour: Eternity.” This music will accompany TV commercials for “Eternity” from fall this year. I didn’t see the recording in progress, as it was behind this firmly closed door. I hope you’re looking forward to this new production!
“Vocalization Practise on the One Earth Tour ” by Narumi Matsuda
On performance days, time is set aside after rehearsals for the performers to have vocalization practise together.
Since Tamasaburo Bando became Kodo’s artistic director, extra effort is going into singing instruction for the performers. The voice is easily affected by your age and the daily condition of your body, so taking the time for everyone to check their voice and focus on practising vocalization is now part of their daily routine.
Naturally the members do this each day when they have rehearsals on Sado Island, but they also have this time allocated for vocalization on tour.
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014: Mystery
“Motofumi Yamaguchi ‘Ikkan Fugetsu'” by Narumi Matsuda
Motofumi Yamaguchi “Ikkan Fugetsu” in Sammu, Chiba
On May 16, Naruto Cultural Center Wild Chrysanthemum Plaza presented Motofumi Yamaguchi’s “Ikkan Fugetsu” concert. This hall is near the home of Ranjo-san, the craftsman who makes the shinobue (bamboo flutes) we play.
The venue erected a temporary stage in its entrance hall and sold beverages and snacks behind the audience seating. This setup made for a relaxed mood.
This was the 148th salon concert held by this hall. I saw some members in the audience who looked like they had come straight from working in their fields and they were relaxing as they listened to the concert. I could tell that these concerts are a firmly established event in this town.
Motofumi’s bamboo flute and talks to the audience created a great harmony with the piano and vocal performance by Yumi Nogami. After seeing this concert, I am already looking forward to their performances to come!
For the finale, Motofumi was joined by junior high school students to play “Hana wa Saku – Flowers Will Bloom, ” which is a song to support the regions affected by the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake. It was so moving.
Motofumi Yamaguchi “Ikkan Fugetsu”
“Rehearsal Scenes from Kodo One Earth Tour” by Narumi Matsuda
To present performances of the highest quality, we have intense rehearsals at each theater we visit on tour. A lot of advice and directions fly about when we rehearse together.
The performers get ready for the performances by talking about the detailed nuances of sound and movement so that they will be in tune with one another on stage.
“Kodo One Earth Tour: Three Performances in Kyushu” by Narumi Matsuda
We have just had 3 performances in Kyushu: Kagoshima City on May 10, Hyuga in Miyazaki on May 11, and Fukuoka City on May 13. We always enjoy the atmosphere in each town we visit, performing in each unique theater, and meeting the locals. (And, of course, we have to sample the local cuisine!)
Everyday we are either traveling or performing and we are so grateful to meet all the people who welcome us at each place on the road. The tour has just started. We will go to Shikoku next!
Kodo One Earth Tour in Shikoku!
We look forward to seeing you all at the following theaters:
【Kagawa】May 21 (Wed) Sunport Hall Takamatsu, Takamatsu
Start: 18:30/ Inquiries: Okayama Onkyo Tel.086-224-6066
【Ehime】May 23 (Fri) Nanyo Bunka Kaikan, Uwajima
Start:18:30/ Inquiries: Tsushima Taiko Shudan Miyabi Tel. 090-2782-4792 (Mr. Tanaka)
【Ehime】May 24 (Sat) Matsuyama Shimin Kaikan Dai-Hall, Matsuyama
Start:18:00/ Inquiries: EBC Enterprise Tel. 089-933-0322