Scene from: East meets West
Composer:
Conductor:
This documentary clebrates the bringing together of two very different musical traditions: therdrumming techniques of Kodo Drummers of Sado Island, Japan and the traditional Irish music performed by Donal Lunny and Coolfin.
Each year Dodo Drummers host and international arts festival called Earth Celebration on Sado Island, Japan, inviting artists from around the world. Having invited Donal Lunny and his band to play at the 1996 and 1997 Earth Celebration, Kodo Drummers made their first trip to Dublin, Ireland, in July 1998 to perform at the Global Gathering with the Donal Lunny Band. From barely audible pianissimos to earth-shattering explosions of sound, Kodo masterfully combine primal energy with virtuoso refinement.
Interspeed with extensive performance footage of both Irish and Japanese traditions, Kodo's Foreign Tour Manager, Takashi Akamine describes the training that Kodo members receive, living communally in a converted schoolhouse in Sado Island where they spend two years learning taiko, dance, song and other traditional arts.
Featuring guest musicians Sharon Shannon, Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill and Riverdance star Jean Butler, this particular fusion creates a sensational programme.
Catalogue: