Kuniko - Cantus - Linn Records CKD 432 (2013) SACD rip via PS3 to iso (2.72GB) | 24bit/88.2kHz flac | Mch (2.14GB) (+6dB gain) | 2ch (794MB) DR12 (+6dB gain) | Classical KUNIKO's eagerly awaited 2nd album includes world premiere recordings of the percussionist's new arrangements of popular works by contemporary composers Arvo Pärt, Steve Reich & Hywel Davies. Great in Mch.. Recorded in Japan to 24bit/192kHz. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The pieces are arranged for 5 octave marimba or vibraphone & each was chosen to fully demonstrate the colours, depth & dynamics of the instrument. KUNIKO gave the world premiere performance of Reich's New York Counterpoint version for marimba in New York in 2012. KUNIKO won praise from the composer himself who stated: 'Kuniko Kato is a 1st rate percussionist'. The simplicity & beauty of Arvo Pärt's music has won the composer many fans. In turn Pärt is a fan of KUNIKO's arrangements having approved the new versions premiered on this album. KUNIKO has arranged 4 of his best-loved pieces including Cantus, a fitting tribute to Benjamin Britten in 2013, his 100th anniversary year. Purl Ground is an original piece written by British composer Hywel Davies, which KUNIKO premiered at the Cheltenham Festival in 2011 to critical acclaim. The piece is arranged for solo marimba & makes excellent use of both tremolo & pianissimo effects. AllMusic: Kuniko Kato, who goes by the single name Kuniko, is an emerging Japanese marimba & vibraphone virtuosa who stirred up considerable attention with her 2011 release 'kuniko plays reich'. Cantus, which is curiously named, expands on the transcription ideas developed for the earlier release. Kuniko sets out to expand the sonic vocabulary of her percussion instruments through the use of various mallets & strike techniques. This is an extremely intriguing idea, for latter-day developments in minimalist music have involved experiments with extending its range without losing its basic aesthetic. Kuniko thus hits a certain sweet spot, & it's no surprise to learn that all 3 of the composers featured here -- Arvo Pärt, Reich once again, & British minimalist Hywel Davies -- supervised & approved of Kuniko's arrangements. At times it is hard to believe you're hearing just a single marimba (additional instruments, all played by Kuniko, appear on only 3 pieces). In Reich's New York Counterpoint the marimba emits eerily clarinet-like sounds. But perhaps the strongest performances are those of Pärt's music, where Kuniko keeps the sounds a bit simpler & lets the instrument flower into the resonances that are at the heart of the composer's brand of minimalism. It is no wonder the elderly Pärt liked these renditions, which extend his language in a totally ingenious & musical way. The final Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in Mirror) is haunting, & the entire album is essential listening for anyone with the slightest interest in contemporary percussion. SA-CD.net reviews: http://www.sa-cd.net/showreviews/8811 Tracks: 01-Fur Alina for Vibraphone and Crotales 02-New York Counterpoint for Marimba 03-Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten for Marimba 04-Fratres for Percussion 05-Purl Ground 06-Spiegel im Spiegel for Marimba & Bells Time: 51:36 Musicians: Kuniko Kanto http://www.filefactory.com/folder/f9bd296848ce8214 -------------------------------------------------------------- Checksum for iso: 821847b6fa6c1ecaf657bee958dc6330 *kuniko - cantus by kuniko.iso Checksums for flac tacks Mch: 7d2ae8aa6e3055a827b48f5e8355bdcb *01 - kuniko kato - Fur Alina for Vibraphone and Crotales.flac 300da731c994ec322f2fade87aad7f98 *02 - kuniko kato - New York Counterpoint for Marimba.flac 35fb3c49cd3279e1df127e5ce16f9cce *03 - kuniko kato - Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten for Marimba.flac f863b250affe7a51263dfffb593fbde7 *04 - kuniko kato - Fratres for Percussion.flac 52ed14481625732282026a6d90e332fc *05 - kuniko kato - Purl Ground.flac 61f0d662f18a3dc05e2b08f5cdef31d0 *06 - kuniko kato - Spiegel im Spiegel for Marimba & Bells.flac Checksums for flac tacks 2ch: 9fb511fa1ad98c9278f13d6ebb7177d9 *01 - kuniko kato - Fur Alina for Vibraphone and Crotales.flac d764cd6102268241a6ca722e1fd996ef *02 - kuniko kato - New York Counterpoint for Marimba.flac b87821509343ad6171e1e01eb87b6b99 *03 - kuniko kato - Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten for Marimba.flac 0e9fd3d1a44658f08b187c70690f937b *04 - kuniko kato - Fratres for Percussion.flac a2a5e92857f631c4905a66d255dfc364 *05 - kuniko kato - Purl Ground.flac db0ea2da9959ae511a3f91b4093e7327 *06 - kuniko kato - Spiegel im Spiegel for Marimba & Bells.flac