Japanese pianist Yukiko Kojima brings together in a rare disc the major piano works of her compatriot Akira Miyoshi (born 1933). Drawing on Eastern traditions, physiological breath itself seems to dictate the rhythm of musical gestures and phrases. The emotions expressed vary continuously, as if the piano itself had its own language and told a story: one of fragile beauty and fleeting changes of delicate colours.
Akira Miyoshi was born in Tokyo, studied French literature at Tokyo University and spent a highly formative period in the 1950s studying composition in Paris. His connection with French music and literature is apparent in both his musical language and the titles of his works, and he has been particularly influenced by the music of Henri Dutilleux. His succession of award-winning works covers all the main genres of vocal and instrumental music, and if piano music is a relatively modest part of his wide-ranging output, the instrument has nevertheless been an important part of his creative life. In addition to these solo works he has written a piano concerto and a piano method, composed pedagogical works and founded a piano competition.
Yukiko Kojima received her Bachelor of Music in solo performance from McGill University in Montreal where she was a student of Prof. Kyoko Hashimoto. In 2007, she won 2nd prize (no 1st prize given) in the Masters Piano Competition in Tokyo, which led to her becoming a member of the All Nippon Players’ Association. She performs extensively in Japan, with a special dedication to the works of 20th and 21st century composers, always to the acclaim of press and public alike. Her major repertoire includes John Cage, Pierre Boulez, Nikolai Kapustin, Toru Takemitsu, Iannis Xenakis, György Ligeti, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Samuel Barber, Henri Dutilleux, Chick Corea and Akira Miyoshi. This is her debut disc.
The new Odradek Records is a democratic classical cooperative, non-profit and artist controlled label and concert association, promoting new artists and fresh repertoire. It has released five previous recordings, all by pianists: Domenico Codispoti, Duo Miho and Masumi Hio, Pina Napolitano, Javier Negrín, and Mei Yi Foo - whose ‘Musical Toys’ disc resulted in her being named ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the BBC Music Magazine Awards.
