© 2008 Lawrence Tuczynski

Scans & info provided by Erik Homenick

Title Akira Ifukube - Works for Piano, Volume 1
CD Label Raison
CD Number ZMM0812
Music by: Akira Ifukube
Music Performed by: Reiko Yamada, Shigetoshi Yamada, Patrick Godon
Tochigi Symphony Orchestra conducted by Masaaki Hayakawa
Number of tracks 9
Running time 59:39
Number of discs 1
Year of release/manufacture December 12, 2008

REVIEW

December 13, 2008

Raison Records is happy to announce that Akira Ifukube - Works for Piano Volume 1 is now available for purchase in Japan.

The disc features four compositions by maestro Akira Ifukube, each involving the piano:

Piano Suite (1933)

Fire of Prometheus: Joy of Fire for Two Pianos and Four Hands (1950) (World premiere)

Deux Caracteres for Violin and Piano (1955/1961) (world premiere)

Ritmica Ostinata for Piano and Orchestra (1961)

This exciting release showcases the talents of Reiko Yamada (piano), Patrick Godon (piano), Shigetoshi Yamada (violin) and Masaaki Hayakawa conducting the Tochigi Symphony Orchestra.

At this time, the disc is only available from Yamaha Music in the Ginza district in Tokyo. The disc will also be available from Sanseido Books in Chicago after December 29, 2008.

At some point right after the New Year, the recording will also be available in the U.S. and Japan at all of the "usual sources": Amazon, HMV Japan, etc. But for those who want to get the disc as soon as possible, Yamaha or Sanseido are good options.

For more info about how to order, visit this link at Erik's website:
http://www.akiraifukube.org/cd_information.htm

Akira Ifukube - Works for Piano, Volume 1

    PIANO SUITE
  1. Bon-Odori
  2. Nebuta
  3. Nagashi
  4. Nebuta

  5. "Joy of Fire" from FIRE OF PROMETHEUS for Two Pianos and Four Hands

    6. DEUX CARACTERES POUR VIOLON ET PIANO

  6. Caractère I (Allegro ballabile)
  7. Intermède (Rapsodico)
  8. Caractère II (Allegro ritmico)

  9. RITMICA OSTINATA FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA