January 16, 2011
By Editor
KODO Performers
Kazuki Imagai
Masaru Tsuji
Masami Miyazaki
Mitsuru Ishizuka
Kenzo Abe
Shogo Yoshii
Kenta Nakagome
Tokio Takahashi
Tsuyoshi Maeda
Eri Uchida
Mariko Omi
Yosuke Kusa
Akira Takahashi
World renowned taiko ensemble Kodo of Japan will return to Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday, February 10, at 8:00 pm. Kodo’s 30th Anniversary – One Earth Tour in North America will begin on January 26 at Spokane, Washington, a
nd continue until March 22 at Utica, New York.
Since their debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo have given over 3300 performances on all five continents, spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan and a third resting and preparing new material on Sado Island in Northern part of Japan.
Exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, Kodo is forging new directions for a vibrant living art-form.
In Japanese the word “Kodo” conveys two meanings: Firstly, “heartbeat” the primal source of all rhythm. The sound of the great taiko is said to resemble a mother’s heartbeat as felt in the womb, and it is no myth that babies are often lulled asleep by its thunderous vibrations.
Secondly, read in a different way, the word can mean “children of the drum,” a reflection of Kodo’s desire to play the drums simply, with the heart of a child.
Kodo strives to both preserve and re-interpret traditional Japanese performing arts.
Beyond this, members on tours and research trips all over the globe have brought back to Sado a kaleidoscope of world music and experiences which now exerts a strong influence on the group’s performances and compositions.
Kodo strives to both preserve and re-interpret traditional Japanese performing arts.
Collaborations with other artists and composers extend right across the musical spectrum and Kodo’s lack of preconceptions about its music continues to produce startling new fusion and forms.
Tickets are from $45.75 to $103. For reservation, visit www.laphil.com
