This recording presents the entire output to date for guitar of Toshio Hosokawa, one of Japan's most prolific composers for the instrument. His affinity for the guitar stems from his familiarity with popular songs accompanied by the guitar and from his knowledge of the koto, a traditional Japanese instrument from which he has adopted certain playing techniques. Although the works gathered here call for a variety of forces - guitar solo, guitar and voice, guitar and instrumental ensemble - they all present a fundamental aspect of Toshio Hosokawa's output: the music seems to be born like a calligraphic line 'at the limit of time and space'. Here, the guitar is no longer just an instrument familiar to both classical and popular music: in Hosokawa's works it is a medium that transmits the primordial motion of the soul, which has woven poems and songs since ancient times. Familiar with Hosokawa's world, guitarist Jacob Kellermann, together with Christian Karlsen (with whom he has already recorded works by Toru Takemitsu on BIS-2655), the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and soprano Ilse Eerens, presents a soundscape on the edge of dreams, both seductive and subtle, modern and timeless.

The distinguished Japanese composer, Toshio Hosokawa, has been honoured with numerous awards as well as a steady stream of commissions and acclaimed performances. As with many of Hosokawa's concertos, Ceremony sees the flute soloist as a 'person' and the orchestra as the 'universe and nature' - the flautist's breath echoing like the winds of nature and becoming a song that awakens the spirits. A complimentary work to Hosokawa's The Raven (Naxos 8.573724), Futari Shizuka - The Maiden from the Sea is a single-act opera, the ancient tragic tale of which resonates with the fate of refugees around the world today.

The is the fourth volume of orchestral works by Toshio Hosokawa, Japan's leading living composer. These world premiere recordings were recorded in the presence of the composer. Featuring soloists violinist Paul Huang and Belgian trumpeter Jeroen Berwaerts, with the Residentie Orkest The Hague conducted by Jun Markl.