Click play on the audio player above to listen to the full episode, or watch the performance in the video player above. You can listen to the Summer Concert Series live Fridays at noon through July 23 on CapRadio Music 88.9 FM in Sacramento, 91.7 FM Groveland/Sonora, or 88.7 FM Sutter/Yuba City. And subscribe to the CapRadio YouTube channel to see videos of the performances as well!
Pianists Sakurako Kanemitsu and Erina Saito have chosen their programs as a testament to the violence against Asians occurring at this time, and against all forms of racial judgement. You will hear a variety of musical styles, and diversity in gender and ethnicity in the music, including a portrait of Joe Hishaishi — an elegant uplifting of the voice of an exceptional Asian artist. You will hear some excellent local music as well!
In the words of Erina:
I chose these pieces to showcase a variety of musical styles and diversity in gender and ethnicity of composers. I believe that it is very important, especially in today’s circumstances. Although these pieces inhabit differences in their traits, I expect the audience to hear that each piece has its own beauty and excellence. The message of my program is to stop racial judgements. Everyone has their own beautiful elements just like these pieces do, so let’s cherish and respect all of them.
In the words of Sakurako:
I chose to present a kind of portrait of Joe Hisaishi’s music because as a Japanese-American, I felt that this would be an elegant way of uplifting the voice of an exceptional Asian artist in the midst of a worrying rise of anti-Asian hate during the past year. Hisaishi’s works are at once relatable, sophisticated, and carry an air of nostalgia reminiscent of Chopin’s works that have the ability to touch listeners emotionally — impossible not to fall in love with. Hisaishi’s musical language blends jazz harmony with traditional Japanese chords/scales, and uses classical techniques to create a beautiful, unmistakable sound-world. Listening and performing his music has been therapeutic for me, and I hope for you it will also bring a little bit of joy.
Program
Erina Saito
| Widmung | Schumann-Liszt |
| "R street" from Six Postcards | Richard Cionco (1964- ) |
| Autumn Op.35 No.2 from 6 Études de concert | Cecile Chaminade (1857-1944) |
| Magnolias from Magnolia Suite | R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943) |
Sakurako Kanemitsu
| “One Summer’s Day” | Joe Hisaishi (b. 1950) for Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away |
| “The Wind Forest” | Joe Hisaishi (b. 1950) for Studio Ghibli's My Neighbor Totoro |
| “Fantasia for Nausicaä” | Joe Hisaishi (b. 1950) for Studio Ghibli's Nausicaä and the Valley of the Wind |
| “Ashitaka and San" | Joe Hisaishi (b. 1950) for Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke |