Monochromer Garten IV (2012)

for 30 strings Koto
EDIZIONI SUVINI ZERBONI – MILANO

Dedicated to Miyashita Shuretsu II
Commissioned by Miyashita Shuretsu II
Premier : 03.11.2012 in Tokyo Shohken hall

Monochromer Garten IV
for 30 strings-koto
" Monochromer Garten IV " is a sequence of my series "Monochromer Garten" which I focus on small formation for 1-3 musiciesns.
I make attempt with this series at representation of the features and aesthetic of japanese garden and the process of it´s architecture.
A silvery world, night, black tiles covered with snow, reflected-light, space, silence ...  I wanted to represent with sound such image of garden, once I looked through the window behind temple in Kyoto.
The night scene of the garden was like an India-ink painting, a work of art with black and white.
I found there an epitome of beauty, at the same time it made me reflect the appreciation of beauty.
According Shinichi Hisamatsu (1889-1980) - a Japanese philosopher and scholar of Zen Buddhism - ,
the general features of japanese cultural expressions in fine arts can be described in term of seven interrelated characteristics.
1) Asymmetry
2) Simplicity
3) Auster Sublimity
4) Naturalness
5) Subtle Profundity
6) Freedom from attachment
7) Tranquillity
Each fine art, landscape architecture included,  may be found to possess all of these seven characteristic, which in their inseparability form a perfect whole.
In  "Monochrome Garden" series, I consider the composion of music as composition of landscape architecture.
Instead of the materials such rocks, water features, moss, pruned trees, bushes, sand and space to compose a japanese garden, I use sound materials and time to create my piece.
Especially  in my piece "Monochromer Garten IV", I tried to bring out the peculiarities of 30 strings koto, such spell of its deep sound,
rich timbers, vibration and resonance from thick strings, intensity etc.. as sound materials.
I wanted to create an universe of beauty with these materials and to reach deep reserve of my sensibility.
"Monochrome Garden IV " was commissioned by 30 strings Koto master, Shuretsu Miyashita II and it is dedicated to her.