From big-beat theatrics to the tick of tiny taps, Kodo literally entranced a nearly full house last Tuesday at the Byham Theater, Downtown.

The two-day stop in Pittsburgh was part of the Japanese drum troupe's 30th anniversary North American tour.

Musicians' powerful movements and precision control drew an impressive range of tones and moods from the company's signature huge taiko drums as well as brass cymbals, smaller drums, flutes and other traditional Japanese musical instruments.

Their nearly two-hour performance of musical compositions, both ancient and contemporary, as well as a few small interludes of dance and song drew cheers and extended applause from an audience that was clearly reluctant to see the evening end.