Collaboration with The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance
As a performer, one of my great joys has always been playing new compositions written specifically for the shakuhachi. Exploring the shakuhachi’s capabilities within new settings is one of the best ways to expose new audiences to its distinctive voice, and to encourage more composers to include it in their tonal palette.
Previously, I sponsored a project called 20-20 Bamboo, where I set out to record 20 new pieces in 2020. The result was the album 20-20 Bamboo, which was released in January of this year - you can check it out here.
So in that same vein, I’m pleased to announce that I’m in the final stages of a project with Dr. Talia Amar, from the Department of Music Theory, Composition, and Conducting at The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance (JAMD). You can read about her, and the four up-and-coming composers working with her on this project, below.
Talia Amar
Dr. Amar is an acclaimed piano soloist and composer, who has garnered numerous international awards. She has been selected as Israel’s representative to numerous festivals, and her music has been performed by world-class ensembles across Europe, Asia, and the US. In her role as the Jerusalem Academy’s Head of Innovation and Technology, she has gathered four bright student composers to create new works for shakuhachi and electronics.
I asked the composers to create a piece that:
1) is under 5 minutes in length
2) could be used as an encore
3) redefines virtuosity (not just fast notes)
4) sounds like shakuhachi music
5) is whatever they want to hear!
I have the scores in hand now, and I am so impressed with these young composers. In the midst of war and chaos in the region, they’ve transformed that negativity into something positive. Every piece is wonderfully different and exciting in its own right, and they’re also quite technically demanding–I’ve got some serious time in the practice room ahead of me!
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be recording each piece, and preparing for their internet premiere. We plan to create videos and a new CD featuring these four compositions. In the meantime, please take a look at their bios below, and check out some of their other work online.
Ori Regev is a composer and record producer. His portfolio is diverse, including contemporary concert music, electro-rock fusion, and original scores for theater. Regev is a B.A and M.A graduate of JAMD, and now teaches composing and arranging, and music theory and harmony as a practice lecturer at JAMD. His children's album "Brazilinio" is the soundtrack to many children around the world.
Aviv Shibi began learning percussion at the age of 11 at Karmiel’s conservatory, and by 12 he had started composing. His compositions range from solo pieces to grand orchestral works, and incorporate complex rhythms and electronic elements. With a Bachelor's and Master's degree in music composition from JAMD, Shibi is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians, instructing in music theory, arranging, and composition.
Yotam Asael (b. 2001) is a flautist, composer, and arranger. Taking inspiration from both classical music and jazz/rock, he has a diverse resume that includes musicals, jazz festivals, and contemporary ensembles. A member of the Jerusalem brass band Las Piratas Piratas and a veteran of the IDF Orchestra, he is currently a student at JAMD, majoring in both classical performance and in composition.
Marine Walker finds inspiration in composing diverse musical compositions. Working with Artlist and BMG, Marine explores the realms of cinematic, symphonic and classical music, both contemporary and traditional. Infusing her work with passion for storytelling through sound, Marine endeavors to create music that resonates with listeners, offering a glimpse into the depth of emotion and imagination.
I’m sure you will be as impressed by these artists and their compositions as I am. Stay tuned for updates on the debut dates of the videos and the album. Take a listen to Aviv’s piece “Cinnabar.”