Evolution - KodoKodo’s Innovation& Evolution Over the past three years, the "Kodo One Earth Tour" productions "Mystery" (2013), "Eternity" (2014), and "Chaos" (2015) have intentionally

KodoExploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, Kodo is forging new directions for a vibrant living art form. The vibrations created by the drummers not only reach the ears of the audience, they move listeners on a visceral level. Making their debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo is based on Sado Island in Niigata, Japan, having given over 3700 performances in 47 countries worldwide under the theme “One Earth.” Spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan and a third on Sado Island, Kodo is always on the move, giving performances that transcend borders, genres and time.

"Evolution" will showcase the perpetual creative evolution of taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo under the direction of Kabuki Luminary, Tamasaburo Bando. Following its premiere in Aug. 2016 at Suntory Hall in Tokyo, as one of three Kodo 35th Anniversary Commemorative Concerts, "Kodo One Earth Tour 2018: Spiral" will tour throughout Europe from January to March, 2018.

Evolution

Programme Part 1

Kei Kei Composed by Yuta Sumiyoshi, 2012

Phobos Composed by Kenta Nakagome 2009

Mute Composed by Yosuke Oda 2013

Kusawake Composed by Yuta Sumiyoshi 2013

O-daiko Traditional, arranged by Kodo

Monochrome Composed by Maki Ishii, 1977

Part 2

Color Composed by Masayuki Sakamoto, 2009

Ake no Myojo Composed by Yosuke Oda, 2012

Yuyami Composed by Yuta Sumiyoshi, 2013

Ayaori Composed by Yuta Sumiyoshi, 2016

Rasen Composed by Tamasaburo Bando, 2016

Ayaori

Kodo’s Innovation&Evolution Over the past three years, the "Kodo One Earth Tour" productions "Mystery" (2013), "Eternity" (2014), and "Chaos" (2015) have intentionally excluded the most iconic symbol of the ensemble: the o-daiko, or big drum. Instead, these past three years of performances have presented Kodo’s next generation performing new compositions — a telling sign of the group's determination to move forward. The latest production, "Evolution," begins by taking a look back at the innovative repertoire composed under the guidance of Artistic Director Tamasaburo Bando between 2009 and 2013. The programme starts with a rousing piece, Kei Kei. The full cast takes to the stage playing taiko that are slung from their shoulders, thereby allowing the performers mobility amongst the reverberations. This captivating variation of the okedo-daiko (barrel drum) is further showcased in Phobos (2009), Mute (2013), and Kusa-wake (2013). In Evolution, the performers are dressed in either all black or all white, their sleeveless costumes timeless and universal, sleek and subtle. The form-fitting outfits do not belong to any one culture. This allows today’s Kodo ensemble to freely express its sound without being culturally bound by their former stage attire: the Japanese knotted headband and workman's coat, and the loincloth traditionally worn by each of Kodo’s big drum soloists.

Kei Kei

After its hiatus in recent One Earth Tour productions, the monolithic o-daiko returns to the stage in Evolution. In this performance, the drum appears in the programme under the familiar title: O-daiko. The name "O-daiko" has been honored by Kodo since 1975, when the mighty drum first appeared in the programmes of Kodo’s antecedent group, known as Ondekoza. The taiko remains the same, but this next generation of drummers delivers a dynamic new style of performance. There is no drum cart with lanterns, no loincloths, and no cymbals or flutes. Instead, the massive instrument is flanked by its Western counterparts the timpani and bass drum, which Kodo uses to conjure deep and powerful cadences. This rhythmic universe promises to stir an audience to its very core.

The first act ends with Kodo's timeless signature piece, Monochrome (1977). Intricately crafted by modern composer Maki Ishii, Monochrome is a thorough investigation of the tonal range of the shime-daiko, a high-pitched roped drum. This piece contrasts the simple yet wild nature of taiko performance, which is emblematic of Kodo’s direction today, as its next generation forges forward using a balance of raw power and honed skills. The second act commences with Color (2009), which utilizes the same roped drums of Monochrome, but in a completely different way. The performers put down their drumsticks and experiment with different percussive sounds. They tap the drums with their fingernails. They rub the drums with their hands, and they throw clusters of

Monochrome

jingling bells onto the skins of the drums. Humor reveals itself in their onstage interactions as they rhythmically hum, sigh and shout to the beat. After the entrancing intensity of Monochrome, this light-hearted approach comes as a welcome relief. For the next piece, the stage darkens for the beautiful and captivating Ake no

Myojo (2012). Female performers in flowing black skirts take to the stage to drum, sing, and dance as they spin in a perpetual state of sound and motion. Afterwards, the melodic bamboo flutes in Yuyami (2013) create an indescribable sense of nostalgia, which leads directly into the brand new piece, Ayaori (2016). An exploration of the myriad sounds of the odeko-daiko, utilizes the performers’ dexterity and a range of drumsticks to conjure sharp and rich tones while deftly weaving them into a coherent whole. The finale arrives as the title piece, Rasen, which means "evolution." Rasen features eight performers, the main soloist playing a large flat hirado drum. Surrounding him are seven performers on nagado (long) taiko, okedo (barrel) taiko, and timpani. This powerful octet produces rhythms of complexity and precision while revealing the rich variety of drumming techniques that Kodo has discovered during its evolution. To compose Rasen, Tamasaburo Bando brought a range of Kodo performers into the

Ake no Myojo

Rasen

creative process. Fresh newcomers joined young up-and-coming performers and core soloists, as well as veterans whose careers span some three generations with Kodo. As the title suggests, Rasen is a whirling helix depicting the evolution of Kodo through its decades of rich history. Phrases from exemplary pieces such as Yatai-bayashi (1973), Miyake (1982), and Tomoe (2003) transport the audience from era to era. It’s a soaring journey through Kodo's past and into its future. As the strong winds of change blow through the ensemble, this climactic finale shows Kodo's unwavering footing. The ensemble fully acknowledges its thirty-five year history — all while clearly proclaiming its intention to look to the future. When Tamasaburo Bando assumed the role of Kodo artistic director in 2012, he vowed to raise the artistry of taiko performing arts. The Evolution programme boldly demonstrates that his goal and his vision have manifested themselves in full.

Tamasaburo Bando Tamasaburo Bando is a leading Kabuki actor, and the most popular and celebrated onnagata (actor specializing in female roles) currently on stage. He has demonstrated his profound aesthetic across numerous platforms, receiving the highest acclaim for his many artistic endeavors. His artistic direction of productions such as Romeo & Juliet and Kaijin Besso garnered numerous accolades, while as a movie director he shined in films such as Gekashitsu, Yume no Onna, and Tenshu Monogatari, which caused a splash in the arts world. In April 2012, Bando assumed the position of Kodo’s artistic director. In September 2012, he was recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder ("Living National Treasure") and in 2013 he was decorated with the highest honor of France's Order of Arts and Letters, Commander.

Kodo Exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, Kodo is forging new directions for a vibrant living art-form. In Japanese the word "Kodo" conveys two meanings: Firstly, "heartbeat" the primal source of all rhythm. The sound of the great taiko is said to resemble a mother's heartbeat as felt in the womb, and it is no myth that babies are often lulled asleep by its thunderous vibrations. Secondly, read in a different way, the word can mean "children of the drum," a reflection of Kodo's desire to play the drums simply, with the heart of a child. Since the group’s debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo has given over 3800 performances under the banner "One Earth Tour" on all five continents, spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan and a third rehearsing and preparing new material on Sado Island. Kodo strives to both preserve and re-interpret traditional Japanese performing arts. Beyond this, members on tours and research trips all over the globe have brought back to Sado a kaleidoscope of world music and experiences which now exerts a strong influence on the group's performances and compositions. Collaborations with other artists and composers extend right across the musical spectrum and Kodo's lack of preconceptions about its music continues to produce startling new fusion and

forms.

O-daiko

Color

Tamasaburo Bando & Kodo The first Kodo performance directed by Tamasaburo Bando, “Kodo One Earth Tour Special,” premiered in 2003. The production was created over the course of two years. In 2006, the first on-stage collaboration between Tamasaburo Bando and Kodo was realized in “Amaterasu,” a musical dance play based on a Japanese myth. It featured Bando as the sun goddess Amaterasu and Kodo as the gods of the story who express themselves through music and dance. This performance was a catalyst for Kodo to break new ground in taiko expression. In August 2007, encore performances were held at Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo. 2009 marked the debut performances of Kodo “Dadan,” a production directed by Bando that boldly portrays the essence of drumming. In February 2012, four days of sold-out “Dadan” performances took place at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. Bando accepted the invitation to become Kodo's artistic director from 2012 and through 2016. Kodo continues to present brand new productions every year under the direction of Tamasaburo Bando. Bando and Kodo shared the stage for new-look performances of "Amaterasu" with guest artist Harei Aine in 2013 and again in 2015.

Inquiries Mio Teycheney-Takashiro Kitamaesen Co. Ltd.(Kodo) [email protected]

Photos: Takashi Okamoto

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