Reviews

The Japanese paper films, abbreviated, often adorable, all made between 1932 and 1938 were accompanied superbly by Yoko Reikano Kimura on the koto and Hikaru Tamaki on cello. (Pamela Hutchinson) – Japanese Paper Film screening at the 44th Pordenone Silent Film Festival Photography by Valerio Greco Silent London 

The performances are especially strong and strikingly expressive, which, one can speculate, reflects a mutual respect between the artistry of the performers and Hagen’s strong appreciation for the aesthetic sensibilities of Japanese musical and dramatic customs. (Peter Burwasser) – Heike Quinto (composed by Daron Hagen, commissioned by Duo YUMENO)  Fanfare 

…The Duo Yumeno’s performance is crystal-clear and showcase an excellent exercise in expressiveness.  (David Lima Guerrero) – Heike Quinto (composed by Daron Hagen, commissioned by Duo YUMENO) Ritmo

…Though the tone and aesthetic sometimes call to mind traditional Japanese chamber music…the music for both instruments is written idiomatically, so it doesn’t end up sounding wholly Japanese or western. It’s certainly one of the more convincing fusions of the two traditions that I have heard from a western composer. (Nathan Faro)  – Heike Quinto (composed by Daron Hagen, commissioned by Duo YUMENO) American Record Guide

…The exotic music transports the listener into a very special world of sound, which is very interesting, even more varied than one might think at first. In this recording it benefits from the technically outstanding and very committed interpretation of the Duo Yumeno. (Remy Franck) – Heike Quinto (composed by Daron Hagen, commissioned by Duo YUMENO)  Eine japanische Geschichte (pizzicato)  

…Yoko Reikano is clearly a virtuoso koto player. I’ve heard several recordings of koto players, but none as breathtaking as what Reikano does here, and near the end of this movement Hikaru Tamaki’s cello playing is deep, rich and beautiful.  (Lynn René Bayley) – Heike Quinto (composed by Daron Hagen, commissioned by Duo YUMENO) Daron Hagen’s Heike Quinto (The Art Lounge)

…Miura’s Three Poems was written expressly for Duo Yumeno … who premiered the work. This was spare, delicate, focused playing, each gesture full of surprise and drama. The music was graceful and exacting, the musicians careful with space and matching intonation to perfection, the better to pull the most scintillating sensations out of Miura’s microtonal passages. The composition and playing were impressive for how the dry timbres of the instruments, and Kimura’s traditional-style singing, expanded into an evocative and aptly dreamy atmosphere. – Three Poems from Kanginshu (composed by Hiroya Miura, commissioned by Duo YUMENO 2022) –  Here and Now Festival serves up five world premieres to raunch the fall Read More …

… 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