#2379: Japan: 1000 Years of Music

New Sounds | May 24, 2010
Dip into a new collection of 1000 years of Music from Japan on this edition of New Sounds. Listen to Shomyo, or Buddhist sutra chant, one of the oldest forms of vocal music in the world. These low pitched melodious drones are accompanied by metallic percussion, and are performed not as entertainment, but for traditional Buddhist ceremonies. Plus, Australia’s Synergy Percussion perform a recent work by the late Toru Takemitsu, and there’s a whole lot of other music of Japan from the span of centuries in between.

PROGRAM #2379, New Sounds (And Old) From Japan (First aired on Feb. 22, 2005)

ARTIST(S)

RECORDING

CUT(S)

SOURCE

The Ongaku Masters

An Anthology of Japanese Classical Music

Shomyo: Shichi-No-Bongo [3:30]
Gagagu: Hyojo-No-Choshi [3:30]
Michio Miyagi: Haru No Umi [7:30]

Celestial Harmonies #19912 (5 CDs)
www.harmonies.com

David Bowie

"Heroes”

Moss Garden [4:30]

Virgin #21908
Available at Amazon.com*

Ravi Shankar In Japan

East Greets East

Padhasapa [5:00]

Deutsche Grammophon #2531-381. Out of print, but available at himalayanhouse.com

The Ongaku Masters

An Anthology of Japanese Classical Music

James A. Franklin: Peace Bell [8:30]
Toru Takemitsu: Raintree [11:30]

See above.

*, ** Find the recordings you've heard - go to the New Sounds Recordings Information page

Be alert for scams. WNYC never asks for nor accepts money for coverage or interviews. Anyone making such a request does not represent WNYC.

Top Stories

Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress

Gina Hinojosa Aims to Make Texas Blue Again. Plus, Reading Is Alive and Well

Claire Valdez on populism and the DSA agenda in Congress

The Classroom/Technology Pipeline

YOU ARE ONLINE