Gagaku

Gagaku, meaning ‘refined’ or ‘noble’ music, is a form of Japanese imperial court music that flourished during the Heian period (794-1185). Although originating in China and Korea, gagaku has strong links to Shinto ritual ceremony and other sacred practices. After fading into obscurity for several hundred years, new gagaku ensembles were formed under the Tokugawa shogunate, and the form was later recognised as a ‘national treasure’. Gagaku also later informed the compositional vocabulary of many Western classical composers, including Olivier Messiaen, and the drone music of La Monte Young. As well as having an extensive instrumental repertoire, gagaku also serves as accompaniment for dance and vocal music. All of these styles are showcased on this excellent recording by Ono Ensemble, ostensibly a live concert recording, complete with a minute-long tune-up comprising the opening track. The first piece, ‘Shukoshi’, establishes the full diversity of the ensemble's texture, which is divided into three main elements: wind, strings and percussion with sho (mouth organ) ryuteki (flute), hichiriki (oboe), biwa(lute), so (zither) and gongs and drums.

This textural richness is offset by the melodic and rhythmic austerity of the music itself, the ritualistic nature of which creates an atmosphere that is at once sparse yet hypnotic. The album closes with two extended dance pieces, the context of which are somewhat lost in recording, but are no less musically effective. At 75 minutes, this is a recording that may test the concentration of the casual listener, but is certainly one that rewards deeper immersion, and serves as a fine introduction to a fascinating form.