REVIEW

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	■	CD "Shuteiga Ichigu / In an Autumn Garden", awarded Grand Prix in record category of Art Festival. Sony Music Japan International Inc. Toru Takemitu: "Shuteiga Ichigu - In an Autumn Garden" / Reigakusha It went through nearly a quarter of century since this outstanding modern works by Japanese traditional instruments were completed. This performance in CD is matured with high quality, and performers fit comfortable with the music. It was highly praised that it was performed by Reigakusha which mainly consists of young members who are not Gagaku experts. It is also technically successful in recording the deep sound that can figure out the layout of performers 　 (Comments of 2002, the 57th Art Festival record prize)
	■	Mainichi Newspaper "My three pieces of this month" - Akinori Takeda "Shuteiga Ichigu - In an Autumn Garden" is Gagaku works of Toru Takemistu, 1979, suited 6 pieces. It was premiered by Tokyo Gakusho which mainly members belong to the Imperial Household agency, Music department. Yusuke Shiba has have a great admiration for this works although the most of Gagaku performers defined this was not Gagaku. He retired the Imperial House hold agency and established Reigakusha with his fellows for the performance of this work. Antemortem Takemitu advised to play totally faster, but they ponder over the motives and finally settled their performance. On the occasion of the concert of Suntory Hall, they purposely reserved hall and recorded. In the autumn garden, the music was falling down with the sound of "Shishi-odoshi"(by wood block), and we spent a time of dream and it has gone. - Makoto Isoyama "Shuteiga Ichigu - In an Autumn Garden" is the fruition of the encounter of modern composer and Gagaku, and it is impressed by the perfect fusion of past and present. Elegant and exquisite time has passed and we can see and listen to the celestial performance. Both works and performances can be counted as one of the most excellent accomplishment in present day of Japan. - Tokihiko Umezu "Shuteiga Ichigu - In an Autumn Garden" reminds us that the method of Toru Takemistu have the sense of intimacy of Gagaku. (Two people among the above three gave first grade) From the article published in September 17th, Mainichi new paper
	■	l Kenzo Nakajima Musical Award, Special prize Music director, Yusuke Shiba, has aimed to the exquisite performance of basic traditional Gagaku, but then he actively developed the restorations of not-inherited songs and performances by the restorations of ancient instruments of Shosoin and new Gagaku by the modern composer, as the original performance of Reigakusha. In addition to these performances, they participate in the open air concerts and music festival in effort to promote Gagaku in the society. Last May 8th at Suntory Hall, the independent concert of Reigakusha was held, "Kokanya Zenu" composed by Yusuke Shiba in the classical Gagaku style and "Shuteiga Ichigu - In an Autumn Garden" by Toru Takemitu were performed, and it demonstrated the sixteen-years progress and fruition of Yusuke Shiba and Reigakusha marvelously. This time special prize of Kenzo Nakajima Music Festival was awarded with the high quality of past works and excellent performance of Yusuke Shiba and Reigakusha. (Selector, Kazushi Ishida)

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l A full of story nature "Kokanya Zunu" by Yusuke Shiba

　I have listened the performance of "Rinnrei Gakuyu", the original commissioned works by the active Gagaku group of Reigakusha. Gagaku suits "Kokanya Zennu - Oushoukun tragedy" (world premiere) composed by Yusuke Shiba, is the suits of seven pieces for fifty minutes, and it is love story of Prince Oushoukun and Kokanya from the old Chinese classic Kansho. These works are traditional sounds, but Ayumi Shimonoya, Yamada-ryu soukyoku, was in charge of songs in the cast of Oushoukunn, and it have subtle charm sounds those are not fond in the traditional Gagaku. In the stage Kokanya changed costumes to simple image of the northern peoples from gorgeous dress; such stage direction is very efficiency.
(Snip) We give a welcome that a full story of nature, "Kokanya Zenu" by Shiba, has joined to the Gagaku numbers, the most of which have been played repeatedly with seldom addition of new works,
Tokyo Tsuda Hall
Weekly On stage 2000