The original piece is used in a religious context. Yosano Akiko addressed monks in quite a few tanka of her “Midaregami” and “River of Stars” compilations - mostly as seductress- so I found myself excused, if not invited, to interpret the music intended as a pious chant to the advantage of not so religious creation. My song became an intimate, sensual, tender invocation.
The tanka that I have selected is enchanting in its imagery: the skies, the clouds, translucent greys and blues, bringing our focus to the visual dimension, but at the same time reaching into the depth of our spiritual experience -as a human soul lost in meditation or a prayer would feel.
The element of introspective stillness comes to light in the second part, where piano chords are altered electronically and the male and female voice whisper the poem. The gentleness of the spoken voice returns in refrain at the end of the piece with the closing confirmation of the prayer's true intent: nurturing profound, selfless love. Either way we gaze up (or if you prefer: inwardly), looking for the mystical dimension.
Ingredients:
Goeika Buddhist chant, jazz harmony, tanka of Akiko.
For creating this piece, I have used a historical recording of a Buddhist chant which I have transcribed and harmonized using jazz harmony. Its melodic buildup led me to construct a progression of choral-like chords which I have played on the grand piano. After transcribing the original version I have proceeded with a slight adjustment of the melody but have kept the original arrangement of the chant by ending each phrase with a stroke of a bell, and by staying as close to the original vocal phrasing.
I have recorded the melodic line singing multiple voices in unison, which recreated the choir of chanting pilgrims.
VI
Ascending
It was only
The thin thread of a cloud
Almost transparent
Leading me along the way
Like an ancient sacred song
“River of Stars” Yosano Akiko
VI
Ascending
It was only
The thin thread of a cloud
Almost transparent
Leading me along the way
Like an ancient sacred song
“River of Stars” Yosano Akiko
Ingredients:
Goeika Buddhist chant, jazz harmony, tanka of Akiko.
For creating this piece, I have used a historical recording of a Buddhist chant which I have transcribed and harmonized using jazz harmony. Its melodic buildup led me to construct a progression of choral-like chords which I have played on the grand piano. After transcribing the original version I have proceeded with a slight adjustment of the melody but have kept the original arrangement of the chant by ending each phrase with a stroke of a bell, and by staying as close to the original vocal phrasing.
I have recorded the melodic line singing multiple voices in unison, which recreated the choir of chanting pilgrims.
Example Goeika audio original
Goeika harmonized; voices, piano, bells
The original piece is used in a religious context. Yosano Akiko addressed monks in quite a few tanka of her “Midaregami” and “River of Stars” compilations - mostly as seductress- so I found myself excused, if not invited, to interpret the music intended as a pious chant to the advantage of not so religious creation. My song became an intimate, sensual, tender invocation.
The tanka that I have selected is enchanting in its imagery: the skies, the clouds, translucent greys and blues, bringing our focus to the visual dimension, but at the same time reaching into the depth of our spiritual experience -as a human soul lost in meditation or a prayer would feel.
The element of introspective stillness comes to light in the second part, where piano chords are altered electronically and the male and female voice whisper the poem. The gentleness of the spoken voice returns in refrain at the end of the piece with the closing confirmation of the prayer's true intent: nurturing profound, selfless love. Either way we gaze up (or if you prefer: inwardly), looking for the mystical dimension.
Goeika; voices and electronics