Taikoza Performs in Inwood's Isham Park
An annual Inwood gem, Taikoza gave its free concert in Inwood's Isham Park today. The performance, as always, was wonderful, but my favorite part was watching the little kids dance and play throughout the park. Families even had dinner delivered to the park, causing some confusion for at least one Chinese food deliveryman.As you can probably tell from the photos, everyone had a lovely time.
http://gammablog.com/2009/09/07/taikoza-at-the-howl-festival/
“ In its choreography and its vigor taiko becomes almost a martial art, one in which violence has been sublimated into disciplined exultation a blend of high-decibel virtuosity and sinful shakuhachi solos. Precision and energy are paramount here and the product, for me, was medicinal. It is a combination narcotic, stimulant and vitamin pill.”
Bernard Holland, NY Times
The concert was full of stirring Music from Japan. From the most delicate and mournful bamboo flute song to the loudest and most pulsating beat, the dedicated passion of the musicians was inspiring"
The Richmond News Leader
Taikoza has moved the drums in the foreground and into an exciting visual Explosion,
The Dothan Eagle
“ Few adjectives can explain the sound, emotion and overall experience of the pounding drums of a live performance. My senses were rattles.” Nichi Bei Times
“Something strange and wonderful is coming your way. There was thunder and there was lighting and there was the sea crashing against a cliff, and volcanoes. For a few utterly transporting minutes, there was expressed in the metaphors of merciless rhythms and fluttering melodies, anything a listener had experienced, would experience and could imagine experiencing.”
ERIC HUBLER, WASHINGTON POST
"Taikoza is the definition of great art and the audience was not mistaken when they broke into thunderous applause."
FAN of Neuchatel
The performance physical at times, meditative at times was very powerful and emotional. The visual beauty as well as the raw energy of the drummers pounding on the taiko took the audience. It created an emotional tension that was only released at the end with the audience’s heartfelt and thunderous applause. The members of Taikoza beyond their professionalism were able to make Taiko music more approachable to the audience
Corriere del Ticino
“ An amazing shakuhachi player Marco Lienhard has come out with a new CD, truly a very gifted and wonderful sense of musicality. Not since Yamaguchi Goro’s rendition of Kinko Honkyoku music have I felt the need to listen to more of his music. His rendition of Honkyoku form the Watazumi School is incredible and everyone studying the style should listen to it. His powerful and heartfelt rendition of Amazing grace reminded me of such gospel singers as Mahalia Jackson.
From article by Mr. Kishi appeared in Hogaku Journal, Tokyo Japan
“The members gave their bodies over to musical performance at times a very physical and musical performance. - The highly appreciative audience was treated to physical dexterity, lovely and magical flute music ”
Boston Herald
“ The drummers were clearly enduring some metaphysical test, but less grueling in the program, Marco Lienhard’s deeply fanciful solos on the shakuhachi looked fully invested and with more than just energy. It is the layering of drums patterns and sonorities in intricate compositions that represent the key to the experience.
Los Angeles Times
The musicians’ strong performance really livened up the audience
Taikoza’s energetic performance is a delicate mixture of tranquility and excitement and while using traditional Japanese performing arts they are successful at breaking national boundaries.
The Arts Cure, 2003