| | Une Chance Pour L'Ombre CD Kazue Sawai Discography of CDs
Recorded at one of the most surprising and entrancing concerts of the 2003 Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville, Une Chance pour l'Ombre features an impressive French-Japanese cast performing free improvisation of the most demanding -- and rewarding -- kind. Most of the members of this quintet had previously played with each other in other groupings. Bassist Tetsu Saitoh is a regular collaborator with koto player Kazue Sawai, who herself has occasionally performed alongside saxophonist Michel Doneda (their trio recording Three Day Moon: Live at Hall Egg Farm is recommended). The latter and percussionist Lê Quan Ninh's musical paths have intertwined since the '80s. Kazuo Imai is perhaps the least-known figure of the ensemble, and his unamplified acoustic guitar playing provides the most peculiar voice in this two-piece set. Intermingling with the koto, the double bass and Ninh's sparse (but oh so inventive) percussion, the guitar is constantly reshuffling the deck. Doneda, Imai, and Ninh are known to foray into the quietest territories of the free improv realm, while Sawai and Saitoh are more generally perceived as "traditional" improvisers, but such a distinction is rendered useless here, as the five of them strike a wonderful balance between silence and sound, listening and playing, density and intensity. The music unfolds delicately, slowly enough to let the listener marvel at its details. The 22-minute "Une Chance pour l'Ombre" features a lot of interplay between koto and guitar, and a higher overall density level. "A Chance for Shade" (the literal translation of the first piece's title) is more subdued, sustained textures gradually stealing the show as the piece progresses toward its conclusion. The impeccable quality of the recording takes us into the heart of the music. Well worth your hard-earned money, even if you are not usually fond of quiet free improv. ~ François Couture
Recording information: 20 Festival International De Musique Actuelle De Victor.
Personnel: Kazue Sawaï (koto); Michel Doneda (soprano saxophone); Tetsu Saitoh (double bass); Lê Quan Ninh (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Josef Woodard.
Une Chance Pour L'Ombre Music Une Chance Pour L'Ombre Songs | 1. | Chance pour l'Ombre, Une |
| 2. | Chance for Shade, A |
| Une Chance Pour L'Ombre Review
GuidelinesRemember to focus your comments on Une Chance Pour L'Ombre CD. Check our review guidelines for specific details regarding customer review policy. To submit your review, please fill out the above form and click "Submit Review." A staff member will then verify your review meets our guidelines. Upon approval, your review will be published within a few days. Please do not use this form to comment on web site errors or for order related questions. If you have concerns of this nature, please contact customer service by filling out this form.
Purchase Une Chance Pour L'Ombre CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart
|