Black Pencil / Kaiseki (2017)

GWK 137 / 2017

 

Ensemble Black Pencil

Jorge Isaac: blockflute

Matthijs Koene: panpipes

Esra Pehlivanli: viola

Marko Kassl: accordion

Enric Monfort: percussion

Featuring Harrie Starreveld: shakuhachi

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1) anonymus: Kariboshi Kiri Uta

2 - 5) Roderik de Man: Kaiseki

6) Robert van Heumen: A Short Piece of Decay

7) Ayuo: Eurasian Tango No. 1

8) Vanessa Lann: Arlecchino Unmasked

9) anonymus: Shika no Tone

10) Arnoud Noordegraaf: Tampopo

11) Florian Magnus Maier: click Plan Be

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Black Pencil’s KAISEKI project can best be described as a “composed meal.” It draws its inspiration from the Japanese culinary art of the same name and its rich tradition: every detail is carefully considered, pauses are placed with intent, repetition is avoided—instead, variation, symmetry, seasonal character, and even the sound of eating itself take center stage.

The works on this CD were composed especially for the ensemble Black Pencil by Roderik de Man, Arnoud Noordegraaf, Robert van Heumen, Vanessa Lann, and Florian Magnus Maier. In addition, the program includes a piece by Japanese composer Ayuo, as well as two arrangements of traditional honkyoku—folk melodies for shakuhachi dating back to the 13th century.

The lush sound colors of the ensemble’s unusual instrumental combination—including electronics—create a vivid and vibrant musical world in which one can easily get lost.