Kuniko Kato – Kuniko Plays Reich (2011) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Kuniko Kato – Kuniko Plays Reich (2011)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 41:26 minutes | 1,77 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Linn Records

Presented on this recording are three brand new arrangements of Steve Reich works, newly written for percussion, in celebration of his 75th birthday by one of today’s most gifted percussionists. Kiniko’s arrangements are simply stunning and this recording exhibits elements of her Japanese heritage to create a warm, virtuosic performance. This unique recording must be heard!

‘This small girl plays so powerfully,’ marveled Steve Reich the first time he saw Kuniko Kato perform one of his pieces. Fortunately, the Japanese percussionist – who goes simply by her first name – took it as a compliment rather than a putdown. Kuniko has since established herself as one of the world’s foremost interpreters of Reich’s percussion pieces, first with the Brussels-based Ictus Ensemble and more recently as a solo performer. Her new album, Kuniko Plays Reich, features her own arrangements of ‘Electric Counterpoint’, ‘Six Marimbas’ and ‘Vermont Counterpoint’, devised in collaboration with the composer himself, and with Kuniko overdubbing the various parts. Live, she repeats the trick by playing with a backing track – not an ideal solution, perhaps, but we suspect she’ll be able to pull it off.

Tracklist:
1. Kuniko – Electric Counterpoint Version for Percussions – Movement I: Fast (06:52)
2. Kuniko – Electric Counterpoint Version for Percussions – Movement II: Slow (03:21)
3. Kuniko – Electric Counterpoint Version for Percussions – Movement III: Fast (04:42)
4. Kuniko – Six Marimbas Counterpoint (16:34)
5. Kuniko – Vermont Counterpoint Version for Vibraphone (09:55)

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