The Tokyo Quintet – The Contemporary Music of Japan (1984)

As this album was released in 1984, it may not be that ‘contemporary’ anymore, but a very good record it is!
Of special interest is the leading role of Keiko Abe within the quintet. By many, Abe is considered the world’s greatest marimba player, both as a performer and as composer for the instrument in her own right. Now that I’ve heard her, I’ll have to find more of her music.
Another pleasant surprise is the inclusion on this disc of a piece by Akiro Miyoshi, who is one of Japan’s most influential composers of the post-war period, next to Toru Takemitsu – and sadly, less well-known in the western parts of the world.

Tracks:

01. Nocturne (for 5 Players) [0:09:16.25]
Akiro Miyoshi
02. Obsession (for Marimba, Flute, Clarinet, Percussions & Contra-Bass) [0:03:54.07]
Teruyuki Noda
03. Pentalpha (for Five Instruments) [0:10:15.55]
Yoshihisa Taira
04. Ripple of the Wind Concerto (for 5 Players) [0:12:54.33]
Katsuhiro Tsubonoh
05. Territory (for Marimba, Flute, Clarinet, Percussions & Contra-Bass) [0:12:16.20]
Joji Yuasa
06. Synkretismen (for Marimba and 5 Instrumental Groups) [0:20:50.15]
Maki Ishi

Performers:

The Tokyo Quintet are -

Keiko Abe – marimba
Riyu Noguchi – flute
Motoe Miyajima – Clarinet
Makoto Aruga – percussion
Masahiko Tanaka - contra-bass