Japan Songs

MUSIC
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020
3:00 PM

Kyo-Shin-An Arts / Tenri Cultural Institute Stream

$5-$100
https://www.musae.me/kyoshinanarts/experiences/866/japan-songs

I used to regularly List live shows in this series exploring different ways of comparing, contrasting, and mashing up European and Japanese art musics in the Before Time, so it's kind of bittersweet now to List this remote canned iteration. In this installment, ace mod pianist Kathleen Supové and her crew present two sets of pieces setting Japanese poetry commissioned from local composers — including such regular List faves as James Matheson and Alexandra Vrebalov. There's also Varèse's Density 2.15 of all pieces — except played on the shakuhachi — some Piazzolla cuz why not, and something by Supové herself.

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you're listening to a shakuhachi, you might as well be drinking a Bamboo: pour 1-1/2 oz. each of Fino Sherry and dry Vermouth, and 1 teaspoon of Simple Syrup, with 2 dashes each of Angostura bitters and orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.