Renowned for her mastery of the Japanese koto, Naoko Kikuchi brings an extraordinary depth of sound to the concert stage

With the delicate precision of ivory nails, she transforms the koto into a vessel of sonic poetry, weaving intricate melodies and rhythms that range from intimate whispers to dynamic, sweeping gestures. As a disciple of the legendary Sawai Tadao and a member of Frankfurt’s esteemed Ensemble Modern, Kikuchi is a bridge between Japan’s ancient musical heritage and the vibrant world of contemporary sound.

Joined by the mesmerizing Reison Kuroda and Kizan Kawamura on the shakuhachi, Kikuchi will invite the audience into an immersive experience of traditional and modern Japanese music at the New Town Hall. The performance will culminate in the evocative Within Dreams, Without Dreams, a striking composition by the celebrated Japanese composer Takashi Yoshimatsu. This evocative work, known for its hauntingly beautiful landscapes of sound, will leave listeners floating between reality and reverie.

Don’t miss this extraordinary evening of musical transcendence, where the ancient meets the avant-garde in an unforgettable celebration of Japan’s rich cultural tapestry.

Homura
Comp. Tadao Sawai (1979, 16′)
Naoko Kikuchi a její studenti – 17 strunné koto
ukázka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVD3qd1ZiOE
note – Czech premiere

Kooru 凍る
Comp. Shin’ichiro Ikebe (1971, 14’)
Naoko Kikuchi – koto
note – Czech premiere

Stop/Yield
Comp. Amy Williams (2015, 5’)
Naoko Kikuchi – koto
Balázs Adorjan – violoncello
note – Czech premiere

Duo concertante for Shakuhachi and Koto
Comp. Yoshiro Irino (1969, 9′)
česká premiéra
Naoko Kikuchi – koto
Kizan Kawamura – shakuhachi
note – Czech premiere

—přestávka—–

Comp Edward Mascall-Robson, (2025, 8’)
Naoko Kikuchi – koto
Reison Kuroda – shakuhachi
note – world premiere

Within Dreams, Without Dreams, Op. 74
Comp. Takashi Yoshimatsu (1998, 24’)
Naoko Kikuchi – 20 string koto
Reison Kuroda – shakuhachi
Anna Romanovská Fliegerová – violin
Balázs Adorjan – violoncello
note – Czech premiere