Kimiko Ishizaka, New Me! Review
Kimiko Ishizaka is a German/Japanese classical composer and pianist. Ishizaka’s studies began at the age of four, with her mother, followed by conservatory studies with Professor Roswitha Gediga-Glombitza at the Hochschule für Musik Köln. Further instruction came from Prof. Peter Feuchtwanger, Prof. Karl-Heinz Kämmerling, the Alban Berg Quartet, and the Amadeus Quartet. Ishizaka distinguished herself as a soloist and chamber performer from the age of five, especially in the context of the Ishizaka Trio, which consisted of her and her younger brothers (violin, cello). In its sixteen-year history, the Ishizaka Trio was widely recognized and praised. In 2000, Ishizaka switched from chamber performances to being an active soloist, performing concerti from Mozart, Beethoven, Grieg, and Gershwin, and establishing herself as an interpreter of Bach and Chopin. In 2012, Ishizaka released the Goldberg Variations, which was a project that was financed by her fans using the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.com. Ishizaka’s recording J.S. Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 was released in March of 2015 on PARMA Recordings “Navona” label. Ishizaka’s album, J.S. Bach: The Art of the Fugue (Kunst der Fuge), BWV 1080, was released in 2017 on the Ogv label and was funded on Kickstarter. Now Ishizaka is releasing New Me! The solo piano album consists of ten original compositions by Ishizaka that uses classical forms with harmonic and melodic developments that are based in both the classical and jazz traditions.
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Beautiful Bridge
In the past, between our hearts
there used to be a bridge.
Sadness could not last
because no broken heart stayed alone.
Oh, beautiful bridge, you seemed so strong,
how did we miss where things went wrong?
Now I’m looking straight into your eyes,
and my arms are reaching for your face.
My darling love, I can just not get to your side.
In the past, between our hearts
there used to be a bridge.
No distress could last
because our love took it away.
Please find me again across this bridge!
There is no chance I could explain
how much in vain my life would be,
if the way across the bridge
were forever closed.
Please, sweetest love, send back your heart
across this bridge.
Positives:
New Me! is a beautiful collection of sounds that meld the world of classical and jazz. The album is clearly recorded, allowing each voice and Ishizaka’s formidable technique to ring clear.
Bottom Line:
Ishizaka’s ten original compositions on New Me! present two fugues, a canon, a theme-and-variation, among other classical forms. The pieces are predominantly written in four voices with all of the harmonic structures exploring modern jazz sonorities. Ishizaka recorded at the Teldex Studio in Berlin, on April 16, 2019. “New Me” is the first selection on the album, a fitting opening that is a beautiful marriage of jazz inspired by Bach’s canon techniques. Ishizaka’s playing is balanced, playful and her skill at keeping each voice obviously phrased and flowing is very impressive. The B section of “New Me” is an expertly played sixteenth note melody that again displays Ishizaka’s technique and command of the piano to get a singing tone out of the instrument. “Woozy Heights” takes a theme through a serious of harmonic substitutions, which is interesting and very musical. Ishizaka’s ability to make the phrases breathe is of interest too. “What Love Meant to You” is a ballad that has a gorgeous melody and a stimulating harmonic scheme. Overall, New Me! is a fine example of classical composing using the influence of jazz harmonic devices to embellish the colors. Ishizaka’s rich technical palette brings each track to life as she conveys the music with passion and sensitivity. That’s the short of it!