Koto･Shamisen･Voice
… this charming piece was a virtual encyclopedia of each instrument’s tonal possibilities and the ways they could combine, contrast, and accompany each other, realized with admirable feeling and energy by both players. – But Beautiful (composed by Takuma Ito, commissioned by Duo YUMENO) – Bargemusic rocks the new year with five premieres at Here and Now
… Lady Day and Tony Bennett, Lena Horne and Frank Sinatra…just about everybody sung Just Beautiful (as if anybody could make the lyrics and music more bittersweet and beautiful than they are on paper). But nobody ever played Just Beautiful like the Duo Yumeno at Barge Music last night. Without a single note of the original!… – But Beautiful (composed by Takuma Ito, commissioned by Duo YUMENO) – Barge Music’s Eight Course Banquet from ConcertoNet
…Medusa’s Lair, from Marty Regan, left the strongest impression, and not only for being a piece for solo shamisen, played with focussed drive by Yoko Reikano Kimura. … Kimura conveyed the precise intensity of the piece, which spiraled into a well of drama. – Medusa’s Lair for solo shamisen (composed by Marty Regan) – New works push off at Bargemusic’s Hera and Now Festival
…this was the most abstract work on the program and also the most intriguing…the piece had Kimura playing graceful, carefully placed lines against audio that had a strong metrical pulse and etched rhythms. – To the Victims of Cain for solo shamisen and pre-recording (composed by Yoriaki Matsudaira) – http://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2018/09/bargemusics-here-and-now-festival-opens-with-an-evening-of-eclectic-delights/
Kimura built up a head of rhythmic steam…performed with poise and verve. – The Road for solo shamisen (composed by Yoko Sato) – http://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2017/08/women-composers-and-performers-reign-at-bargemusic/
…played with precision and deep feeling by the duo – Cantabile for koto and cello (composed by Daron Hagen) – http://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2016/09/worlds-collide-and-a-quiet-gem-stands-out-at-here-and-now-festival/
…the duo played with confident and relaxed commitment. – Not a Single Cloud Exists for shamisen and cello (composed by Yoko Sato) – http://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2016/01/schnyders-brilliant-music-sparks-rich-and-varied-here-and-now-festival/
Kimura’s voice was rich and full-bodied and easily carried over the delicate ensemble. – Yachiyo-jishi (traditional) shamisen and song – http://kcmetropolis.org/issue/november-11-2015/article/east-meets-west-in-fruitful-collaboration
Whether she was zipping through the energetic sections or tossing off the glissandi that make lyrical phrases sound like they’re floating off into the air, Kimura fit every moment into a natural flow. – Maqam for solo shamisen (composed by Marty Regan) – http://artsandculturetx.com/japanese-inspired-sonic-brush-strokes-succeed-at-aperios-season-closer/
Under Kimura’s practiced hand, there were also occasional dramatic and explosive passages. – Koto Concerto: Genji (composed by Daron Hagen) – http://www.news-gazette.com/arts-entertainment/local/2014-05-22/john-frayne-prairie-ensemble-delights-usual.html