This new release presents Intimate songs of the Gbaya people- a large ethnic group from the Central African Republic, with sanza ("thumb piano") and rattle accompaniment. The Gbaya occupy a vast area on both sides of the Cameroon border. This release features music of the village Ndongue, which is 45 miles southwest of Bouar. The village activities follow the seasonal alternation of dry season and rainy season and are fundamentally collective. That is, individual relationships in all circumstances are of a primordial nature: basically family and village ties. In the music, be it solo or ensemble, with or without the interjections of an assembly, the communication between individuals takes place both physically and instrumentally. Thus the music depends closely on the performing situation and by the same token remains difficult to define.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

The history of traditional Japanese music extends from it's origins in the second century BC up to the present, encompassing five main periods: prehistoric, ancient, mediaeval, modern, and contemporary. During each of these periods, specific forms of music developed, some of which are still extant today. Japanese music as we know it today was born during the mediaeval period, with the appearance of Wasan (Buddhist chant performed in Japanese), of Heikyoku (Heike epics, sung and recited with accompaniment on the biwa lute), and of No (theater plays involving dialogues, mime and dance. The Yonin No Kai Ensemble from Tokyo was created in 1957 when each of it's four members was awarded a gold medal in Moscow at the International Competition of Traditional Instruments. Since then, the ensemble has given many concerts, both in Japan and abroad, as is evident from their discography, these artists have made an exceptional contribution to Japanese music, ancient as well as contemporary: they have recorded, so far, as much as fifteen albums with traditional music, and some ten albums with contemporary compositions.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music