Koto and violin duo, “Matcha Latte”, perform a 20-minute concert with Portland Japanese Garden’s Flat Garden as the backdrop. The duo performs a set inspired by the season of spring, providing stories and context to further bring the music to life.
A special thank you to The Center for Global Partnership for funding this video production.
Video Outline
0:00 Opening
1:05 The origin of KOTO
2:18 Hear the Wind (風にきけ ) by Katsuhiko Yoshizaki
8:34 The Sea in Spring (春の海) by Michio Miyagi in 1929
16:25 Five and Thirteen are Prime Numbers (五足十三和十八番) by John Kaizan Neptune
About the Artists:
Masumi Timson (Koto)
Masumi Timson holds a master’s degree in koto from the Seiha Conservatory of Japanese Music in Tokyo. Timson enjoys performing with various western musical instruments to explore a wide range of genres from jazz, blues, and tango, to Western classical compositions. She has released Picture Dreams with Matcha Latte, Pacific Bridge and Confluence, with Richard Crandell, directs the Koto Club at Willamette University, and teaches at her studio in Salem, OR. Timson has also participated in the recording of several Pink Martini albums and has performed with the band around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Grand Rex in Paris, and Blue Note inTokyo.
(www.masumi-koto.com) (https://www.facebook.com/masumi.timson)
Fumino Ando (Violin)
Fumino Ando holds a bachelor’s degree in performance from Toho Gakuen University of Music in Tokyo, an artist diploma from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and a master’s degree from Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma. Ando played in the New World Symphony in Miami and served as the assistant concertmaster in the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Since 2002, she has been playing in the Oregon Symphony. Ando is also a member of the Arnica String Quartet.
She was awarded the Diploma Honor Prize in chamber music from the Chigiana Music Academy in Siena, Italy. In the Netherlands, Ando won the Donemus Performance Prize for her performance of Dutch contemporary music.
14 Comments
Phenomenal! I particularly enjoyed that last piece, Five and Thirteen are Prime Numbers (五足十三和十八番) by John Kaizan Neptune. 1万ありがとう ten thousand thank yous!
This is such a beautiful treat during this time. They are wonderful. Karl
Wonderful.
きれいですね
Wonderful sound and setting, and excellent musicianship. So inspiring!
It’s sooo amazing!!!! I actually just learned about the koto and ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ it sounds sooo pretty
This is so beautiful.
綺麗な音楽に感謝です！素敵〜
I listen to this all the time. This is one of the most memorable Koto and duo performances I have ever seen. I wish I could have been there!
Magnificent. These two together are magic
Splendid
I love violin and koto
I haven't play koto I play violin
its deserve Millions of view
I wish this was on apple music so could just stream this endlessly