The first ever concentrated show of oriental music in Estonia, a tradition going back to the year 1992, has brought the most authentic performers from India, Siberia, Middle East, Central Asia, Far East, and South East Asia. It is certainly a leading musical event in the Baltic States where music lovers can enjoy performers like Hariprasad Chaurasia, ensemble Kodō, Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, Jivan Gasparyan, ensemble Huun-Huur-Tu, Alim Qasimov, Burhan Öçal, Sevara Nazarkhan, Gyuto and Gyume Buddhist monks, Wu Man, etc. Keep a close eye on our website and advertising – the show goes on.
• KODŌ ONE EARTH TOUR 2018: EVOLUTION − taiko-ensemble from Japan
Wed, March 21st, 2018, at 4.30 pm, Artis Cinema / Solaris Centre (address: Estonia Avenue 9, Tallinn), Kodō master class, drumming teacher Eiichi Saito
Thu, March 22nd, 2018, at 7 pm Nordea Concert Hall, Tallinn, Estonia
Wed, March 28th, 2018, at 3 pm, Capella, St Petersburg, Russia, Kodō master class, drumming teacher Eiichi Saito
Thu, March 29th, 2018, Oktyabrskiy Big Concert Hall, St Petersburg, Russia
Sat, March 31st, 2018, Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia
The spectacular taiko-drumming experience, which showcases ancient Japanese traditions, will take place in Nordea Concert Hall on March 22nd. Kodō’s new show Evolution is embarking on a world tour and is the most spectacular and expensive drum performance ever staged.
The Kodō show involves an impressive production of dozens of drums and other instruments of different sizes through music, dance and costumes. On stage, you can see and hear the “king” of drums − ō-daiko, which is about two metres in diameter. The style expresses the height of the Japanese tradition of storytelling.
Kodō’s Evolution tour is inspired by the theme of everlasting creation, and the best compositions from the troupe’s 35-year history are represented. The 11 parts of the production require the highest level of synchronism and rhythm from the performers.
The performance coming to Estonia is the troupe’s most expensive performance to date. The troupe is preparing for a tour on Sado Island, Japan, where the home and roots of Kodō (鼓童) are located. Since the debut of Kodō in Berlin in 1981, the troupe has performed over 3,800 times across the world.
• Mon, April 9th, 2018, Nordea Concert Hall, Tallinn, Estonia
KITARŌ − the superstar of electronic ethno-crossover will come to Estonia
KOJIKI AND THE UNIVERSE
Winner of Grammy and Golden Globe, one of the most important icons of synthesizer and modern spiritual music Kitarō (喜多郎) will perform at the Nordea Concert House on April 9th, 2018. His new and colourful concert programme Kojiki and the Universe will be presented by Orient Festival. Obviously, Kitarō is not alone on the stage, a number of musicians and technical staff will participate in the grand show.
During the 1980s and 1990s Kitarō created a new trend in the world music uniting electronics and Japanese traditional instrumental music on a new level. Only a couple of other artists share the pedestal with Kitarō in that sphere and these are Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis.
Kitarō has had an incredible number of Grammy nominations − 16. He has released 24 albums and had 34 international concert tours with various programmes. The artist has sold about 20 million records and been innumerable times in the top of Billboard charts.
Kitarō (‘the man of love and joy’ in Japanese) was born in a small Japanese town and started playing the guitar, percussions and synthesizer in his youth. In the 1970s he experimented with prog rock in Tokyo and began his solo career in 1977. His name first came into the limelight in 1980 in connection with a Japanese historical TV doc speaking about the Great Silk Road, Kitarō being the composer of the sound track. In the middle of the 1980s Kitaro recorded his first big albums that defined his unique style in music. US reviews placed him into the category of New Age granting him the iconic position which he holds until today.
In 1993 Kitarō won a Golden Globe for the best original music to the film Heaven & Earth and in 1999 he was awarded a Grammy for the album Thinking of You. Kitarō has composed music for several grand performances like Impression West Lake in China and has had close collaboration with the Yes and Megadeath. His newest album Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol 5 was released this year.
Kojiki and the Universe: it is basically a mythology of Japan and a history of Universe told by means of music, dance and outstanding photography taken in cosmic space.
Download info about Kitarō in Russian (PDF)
Organizers:
Peeter Vähi − artistic director
Tiina Jokinen − management director
Kadri Kiis − accountant
Olavi Sööt − logistics
Mart Kivisild − design
Kaisa Luik − liner notes
Johannes Vähi − website
Reno Hekkonens − PR, marketing
See also: Orient 2017, Orient 2015, Orient 2013, Orient 2011, Orient presents in 2010, Orient 2009, Orient presents in 2008, Orient 2007, Orient presents in 2006, Orient 2005, Festival archives Orient in Palmyra (Voices from the Stars Above the Desert), The Path to the Heart of Asia (CD recorded with featuring musicians of Orient 1992)
Animated logo of Orient
Download the logo of Orient (different file formats): black-and-white, colour JPG, PDF, PNG
Additional info: Wikipedia in English and Estonian
Special thanks: Toyota Baltic AS, Aivar Sirelpuu, Reigo Ahven, Go Rail, Tiit Pruuli
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