© 2000 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title	Music For The Stage Vol. 1
CD Label	VAP Inc.
CD Number	VPCD-81153
Music by:	Akira Ifukube
Number of tracks	30
Running time	64:54
Number of discs	1
Year of release/manufacture	1996

REVIEW

March 10, 2000 Track #1 on this CD starts off with a male voice and what sounds like the beating of sticks on a hollow log. During this track we hear some strains of music that sound similar to themes heard in many Godzilla films. Tracks #2 through #10 are mostly slow moving themes with a feeling of sadness attached to them. Track #11 picks up the pace with the sounds of suspense. The rest of the tracks on this disc sound somewhat similar to tracks 2 through 10. This CD is pleasant to listen to but there are no toe tappers here. While I enjoyed the CD it did get somewhat tiring to listen to after awhile because so many of the tracks sound so similar and are very slow paced.

English Title: Akira Ifukube: Music for the Stage, Volume 1 Japanese Title: Ifukube Akira Butai Ongaku Zenshu Daiisshu: [Oda Nobunaga] (1966) 1. Act I, Scene I: The Memorial Service at Manshoji Temple 2. The Appearance of His Excellency, Lord Tsuchida 3. Scene II: At the Residence of Masahide Hirate 4. End of Scene 2 5. Scene III: The Guest Hall at Shotokuji Temple 6. A Visit from Nobunaga: End of Scene 3 7. Act II: At the Asuke River Bridge *1 8. Takechiyo and Hiyoshimaru 9. "To the Drifting Clouds..." 10. Reed Flute Farewell 11. Hiyoshimaru's Coming of Age Ceremony 12. End of Act II 13. Act III, Scene I: At the Market in Kiyosu 14. Buddhist Ritual Dance 1 15. Buddhist Ritual Dance 2 16. End of Scene I ? Scene II: Nobunaga's Private Chambers 17. Act IV, Scene I: Nobunaga's Private Chambers 18. Scene II: At the Hall in Kiyosu Castle 19. Scene III: At the Hall in Kiyosu Castle 20. Nobunaga Goes to War 21. Finale [Nobunaga Oda: The Incident at Honnoji Temple] (1967) 22. Act I, Scene I: Near Azuchi Castle 23. Lute Solo 24. Scene II: Goodbye to Nanbanji Temple 25. Scene III: Inside Azuchi Castle (The Reception Chamber) 26. End of Scene III ? Scene IV: Inside Azuchi Castle: Leaving & Living *1 27. End of Scene IV ? Scene V: Back to the Reception Chamber 28. End of Scene V 29. Act II: The End of Oinosaka 30. Act III: Honnoji Temple ? Finale *1 This is the best I can do with this rather cryptic title.