Sound Space Experiment



				SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT - Steel Drum Works was successfully finished. We sincerely thank you very much for coming to this live performance. Please see the page below to find Kuniko’s report from its making through performances. Slideshow Contents: 3/13 ~ Started the creation and the open rehearsal at BankART 1929 in Yokohama, Japan. You see the progress of set up. 3/23 ~ Moved to Asahi Art Square, Set up & Rehearsal again… 3/25 General Prove, 3/26~28 Live Performance The photo images - by our management staffs and Mr. Sueki - Public Relations at Hibino Corporation.
\| First of all...\| This is a special project about “Steel Drum Live”! Recently I often use steel drums in my solo recitals as well, The first experience was back in 2005 when I directed the music part of the dance project “Play of a Play” by a fantastic dancer - Megumi Nakamura. The project was produced and funded by Saitama Arts Foundation, and during its creation the stage staffs at SAF and myself went to the local steel fabricator and other shops to develop many of these custom steel drums. Since then I was so excited about its infinite resonance and varieties of sound produced from steel drums and finally we could make it happen. (We also published the limited edition CD “SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT - Steel Drum Works \| Selection” as a souvenir of the live performance and its tracks are all based on the sound sources of steel drums recorded at Saitama Arts Theatre) This time the program is rather an experimental form for audiences to feel totally surrounded by the sound space. The program includes “The Anvil Chorus” by David Lang (This is becoming my favorite repertoire now) and “Electric Counterpoint” by Steve Reich which instrumentations will be shifted from steel pan to vibe and marimba. Also the prerecorded parts will be output with multi-tracks. Perhaps this can be the first attempt to perform Electric Counterpoint in live in the world. \| About sound system \| There are lots of steel drums on the stage and from ceiling, wall and floor there are more than 20+ speakers laid out. Live acoustic and PA system will totally surround the audience. The sound design of each steel drum will differ each other for audience to experience variety of sound. Currently Mr. Miyamoto & I are thinking very creatively… Like you are under deep sea, and with this unique layout and the sound design the audience sitting in any part of the hall can enjoy the entire live performance as if they are listening in the center of the stage. We are challenging something new and innovative stage also. This is really to fuse live acoustic and sound system, which Sympho Canvas* system Mr. Miyamoto & Mr. Taguchi developed will make it a reality. Sympho Canvas - developed by Mr. Miyamoto & Mr. Taguchi to realize true comfort of music & sound. They already explored 64ch multi-channel / multi-source performances several times. “We are concerned about more & more compressed music played and listened by stereo headphone and other mobile devises. We want people to realize true comfort of music and feel how music & sound dynamically spread into air and space.” Said Miyamoto & Taguchi \| About venue \| The venue is situated right next to Asahi Beer’s world headquarter and surprisingly Asahi Art Square was designed by Philippe Stark. After more than 10yrs since it’s built, the building is still one of the most modern icon of architecture in today’s Tokyo. The stage and seating area are uniquely laid out to accommodate 50 tables and will seat for approx. 100 per performance. All others will be in standing but you can move and find your most favorite spot. The venue will open 1hr prior to the show starts so if you want to be seated please come early! If you need physical assistance please inform us in advance and our staffs will assist you.
\| About steel drums \| Drum with piano wires, beautiful tone and very long sustain… Drum set a like made by steel drum. Foot pedals, steel pipe and ride cymbal made by a lid of steel drums are added. (side view) Steel rods are welded at bottom inside of the drum then with some water like a theory of waterphone very interesting sound as if you were under the deep sea… My unique set up for the Anvil Chorus (David Lang). Glockenspiel drum! Rich & Elegant voice and tone... Ringing the wired steel pipe into the drums, used as chimes for opening.
\| CD & Open Rehearsals \| *CD [SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT －Steel Drum Works \| Selection* ] Tracks include tiki-tiki-ban-ban, can’s club mix and other 5 works. All music & performance by KUNIKO KATO Recorded at Concert Hall in Saitama Arts Theater Engineer - Takahiro Sankai (SAF) Mastering - Seigen Ono / Saidera Mastering 2009 Bankart1929** At BankART1929 in Yokohama, from 03/13 to 03/21 creation and rehearsals will be open for public. SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT \| Preview Sat, 03/21, Start 18:30~ Price: JPY1,500 CD [SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT - Steel Drum Works \| Selection ] is available at Special Introductory Price! 　 After loading gears on 13th the creation process began from the next day 14th at BankART1929. We added some new drums and after rough layout it was quite magnificent view of steel drums. I was bit concerned about how the drums will match to this 1929 hall which is the old bank building transformed for art & exhibition space, however it was nice looking of classical & industrial! Also the acoustic of this hall was really powerful with great reverberation. Sound system was such a luxury!!! Those silver cylinder pieces laying behind the instruments are all speakers. Since it’s designed for non-directional it is never noisy even if the speaker is right behind you. At Electric Counterpoint we will output each tracks of prerecorded part from each speakers. It’s an ensemble with these speakers. These silver speakers are also placed along the wall and totally surround the audience so the audience can truly enjoy the sound the music as if they were in the center of the stage. We sincerely thank BankART to support this project! Currently we are rehearsing everyday so please stop by casually! The space is also wonderful landmark to visit. Cafe and lots of art books are available for sale as well. As stated above Preview of SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT is scheduled on Sat, Mar 21st at 18:30~. Door opens at 15min prior. It will be approx. 1 hour preview show. Also newly released omnibus CD [ SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT - Steel Drum Works \| Selection ] is also available at special price JPY 1,000… Please come and see us!
\| About recording \| The recording of Electric Counterpoint was completed! All counterpoint pieces written by Steve Reich are meant to be an ensemble of identical instruments. As we know the original was written for guitar solo and tape and also solo and ensemble. This time I arranged this wonderful signature piece of Reich as version for multi-percussions. Since I selected this piece for SSE Live Performance, and based on the concept of the live performance I planned steel pan for part 1, vibe for part 2 and marimba for part 3. I shared this with Steve Reich and he replied me to say “make a demo as you wish”. Since then three days and three nights with repeatedly again and again I kept recording the parts and made a rough edited demo. The as soon as I sent it surprisingly he approved with a word “Very Good”. Now I can officially record, perform and possibly CD with Electric Counterpoint - Version for multi-percussions (steel pan, vibe & marimba). Then next day we conducted the recording. 　　 There are so many recording studios in Nashville as you know. Among many of them we chose Black Bird Studio without a question. (http://www.blackbirdstudio.com) This is absolutely one of the best studios in town but not only that, another reason is to do this recording project with George! It’s such an honor that George Massenburg recorded this piece for me. (http://www.massenburg.com) Also the studio is only 15min. away from my home in Nashville. It’s so fortunate to have the great engineer with great studio! 　　 George Massenburg is very well known as a person who invented parametric equalizer and also as most of you know he has done recordings of so many famous albums like EW&F, Phil Collins, etc. etc… He was very excited and interested in recording his first Steve Reich piece, and he properly planned this recording reading and analyzing the score very precisely. It was also a coincidence that his good friend Bob Ludwig is the engineer who recorded the original Pat Metheny’s Electric Counterpoint. 　　 After day 1 George handed me a copy of part 3. Even a rough edit it’s surprisingly great sound with clarity of each layers and textures of each instruments. He placed 8 different mics in various positions for adding acoustic reverb and selected by each movement, instrumentations and images. The studio we used was “D” this room is equipped with natural chamber to record natural reverberation. Also he recorded all at the sample rate of 192k/24bit. What a luxury! 　　 George was very fast! Recording and editing almost simultaneously and keep moving on. I was also moving forward with almost one or two take. Even though it took two entire days and finished at almost 2am on 2nd day with small amount of editing. Anyway these two full recording days were truly happy days for me! (I sincerely thank George and his assistant Kazuri for their great & dedicated works) Of course we will run this source into multi-channel / multi-source at live performance. I am really curious how Mr. Miyamoto will cook this for the performance. Also I believe this can be a world premiere of “Electric Counterpoint ? version for multi-percussion”. http://www.stevereich.com (refer the performance schedule from Steve Reich official site as well) Electric Counterpoint with steel pan, vibe and marimba combination
\| About live performance \| We have performed 5 shows in 3 days. We want to thank all the people who came to SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT- Steel Drum Works! There were many who came for all 3 days as well. Thanks again! I myself extremely enjoyed everyday, every performance for last 3 days. Since we started the creation at BankART1929 on 13th, moved to Asahi Art Square on 23rd to redo set up then last 3 days and 5 performances, it has been almost two weeks but I felt like a moment of blink. Also I can not thank enough for the staffs, sponsors and all other supporting organizations such as Asahi Beer, Asahi Beer Arts Foundation, Asahi Art Square, Hibino Corp., Taguchi, Saitama Arts Foundation, BankART, (CD Jacket Image) Also I thank you very much for purchasing many CDs during the performance. We released this CD with selected works and all tracks are played in Live. They were recorded at Saitama Arts Theatre by Mr. Sankai after we finished the dance project “Play of a Play” by Megumi Nakamura then I edited and mixed, however the mastering was done by Seigen Ono!!! Also CD contains a hidden track at last and the piece was dedicated for Mr. Nobuyuki Kojima who was the producer of Saitama Arts Foundation and died suddenly by accident last year. Later full version of Steel Drum Works will be released and also hopefully Electric Counterpoint will be as well. Please visit my web site and check the latest info.. Lastly we intended to include a message about environmental protection, and some of you may have noticed there are recycling marks here and there on the promo materials as well. Global warming and environmental issues are one of my biggest concerns now, and probably you wondered what she is going to do with this many steel drums after the concert? Well, These drums are all 100% recyclable and are returned to Nippon Steel Drum Co. to reborn as another drum. I miss them after all…but will be able to see them again.
© 2008 all rights reserved kuniko-kato.net.....



				SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT - Steel Drum Works was successfully finished. We sincerely thank you very much for coming to this live performance. Please see the page below to find Kuniko’s report from its making through performances. Slideshow Contents: 3/13 ~ Started the creation and the open rehearsal at BankART 1929 in Yokohama, Japan. You see the progress of set up. 3/23 ~ Moved to Asahi Art Square, Set up & Rehearsal again… 3/25 General Prove, 3/26~28 Live Performance The photo images - by our management staffs and Mr. Sueki - Public Relations at Hibino Corporation.
\| First of all...\| This is a special project about “Steel Drum Live”! Recently I often use steel drums in my solo recitals as well, The first experience was back in 2005 when I directed the music part of the dance project “Play of a Play” by a fantastic dancer - Megumi Nakamura. The project was produced and funded by Saitama Arts Foundation, and during its creation the stage staffs at SAF and myself went to the local steel fabricator and other shops to develop many of these custom steel drums. Since then I was so excited about its infinite resonance and varieties of sound produced from steel drums and finally we could make it happen. (We also published the limited edition CD “SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT - Steel Drum Works \| Selection” as a souvenir of the live performance and its tracks are all based on the sound sources of steel drums recorded at Saitama Arts Theatre) This time the program is rather an experimental form for audiences to feel totally surrounded by the sound space. The program includes “The Anvil Chorus” by David Lang (This is becoming my favorite repertoire now) and “Electric Counterpoint” by Steve Reich which instrumentations will be shifted from steel pan to vibe and marimba. Also the prerecorded parts will be output with multi-tracks. Perhaps this can be the first attempt to perform Electric Counterpoint in live in the world. \| About sound system \| There are lots of steel drums on the stage and from ceiling, wall and floor there are more than 20+ speakers laid out. Live acoustic and PA system will totally surround the audience. The sound design of each steel drum will differ each other for audience to experience variety of sound. Currently Mr. Miyamoto & I are thinking very creatively… Like you are under deep sea, and with this unique layout and the sound design the audience sitting in any part of the hall can enjoy the entire live performance as if they are listening in the center of the stage. We are challenging something new and innovative stage also. This is really to fuse live acoustic and sound system, which Sympho Canvas* system Mr. Miyamoto & Mr. Taguchi developed will make it a reality. Sympho Canvas - developed by Mr. Miyamoto & Mr. Taguchi to realize true comfort of music & sound. They already explored 64ch multi-channel / multi-source performances several times. “We are concerned about more & more compressed music played and listened by stereo headphone and other mobile devises. We want people to realize true comfort of music and feel how music & sound dynamically spread into air and space.” Said Miyamoto & Taguchi \| About venue \| The venue is situated right next to Asahi Beer’s world headquarter and surprisingly Asahi Art Square was designed by Philippe Stark. After more than 10yrs since it’s built, the building is still one of the most modern icon of architecture in today’s Tokyo. The stage and seating area are uniquely laid out to accommodate 50 tables and will seat for approx. 100 per performance. All others will be in standing but you can move and find your most favorite spot. The venue will open 1hr prior to the show starts so if you want to be seated please come early! If you need physical assistance please inform us in advance and our staffs will assist you.
\| About steel drums \| Drum with piano wires, beautiful tone and very long sustain… Drum set a like made by steel drum. Foot pedals, steel pipe and ride cymbal made by a lid of steel drums are added. (side view) Steel rods are welded at bottom inside of the drum then with some water like a theory of waterphone very interesting sound as if you were under the deep sea… My unique set up for the Anvil Chorus (David Lang). Glockenspiel drum! Rich & Elegant voice and tone... Ringing the wired steel pipe into the drums, used as chimes for opening.
\| CD & Open Rehearsals \| *CD [SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT －Steel Drum Works \| Selection* ] Tracks include tiki-tiki-ban-ban, can’s club mix and other 5 works. All music & performance by KUNIKO KATO Recorded at Concert Hall in Saitama Arts Theater Engineer - Takahiro Sankai (SAF) Mastering - Seigen Ono / Saidera Mastering 2009 Bankart1929** At BankART1929 in Yokohama, from 03/13 to 03/21 creation and rehearsals will be open for public. SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT \| Preview Sat, 03/21, Start 18:30~ Price: JPY1,500 CD [SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT - Steel Drum Works \| Selection ] is available at Special Introductory Price! 　 After loading gears on 13th the creation process began from the next day 14th at BankART1929. We added some new drums and after rough layout it was quite magnificent view of steel drums. I was bit concerned about how the drums will match to this 1929 hall which is the old bank building transformed for art & exhibition space, however it was nice looking of classical & industrial! Also the acoustic of this hall was really powerful with great reverberation. Sound system was such a luxury!!! Those silver cylinder pieces laying behind the instruments are all speakers. Since it’s designed for non-directional it is never noisy even if the speaker is right behind you. At Electric Counterpoint we will output each tracks of prerecorded part from each speakers. It’s an ensemble with these speakers. These silver speakers are also placed along the wall and totally surround the audience so the audience can truly enjoy the sound the music as if they were in the center of the stage. We sincerely thank BankART to support this project! Currently we are rehearsing everyday so please stop by casually! The space is also wonderful landmark to visit. Cafe and lots of art books are available for sale as well. As stated above Preview of SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT is scheduled on Sat, Mar 21st at 18:30~. Door opens at 15min prior. It will be approx. 1 hour preview show. Also newly released omnibus CD [ SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT - Steel Drum Works \| Selection ] is also available at special price JPY 1,000… Please come and see us!
\| About recording \| The recording of Electric Counterpoint was completed! All counterpoint pieces written by Steve Reich are meant to be an ensemble of identical instruments. As we know the original was written for guitar solo and tape and also solo and ensemble. This time I arranged this wonderful signature piece of Reich as version for multi-percussions. Since I selected this piece for SSE Live Performance, and based on the concept of the live performance I planned steel pan for part 1, vibe for part 2 and marimba for part 3. I shared this with Steve Reich and he replied me to say “make a demo as you wish”. Since then three days and three nights with repeatedly again and again I kept recording the parts and made a rough edited demo. The as soon as I sent it surprisingly he approved with a word “Very Good”. Now I can officially record, perform and possibly CD with Electric Counterpoint - Version for multi-percussions (steel pan, vibe & marimba). Then next day we conducted the recording. 　　 There are so many recording studios in Nashville as you know. Among many of them we chose Black Bird Studio without a question. (http://www.blackbirdstudio.com) This is absolutely one of the best studios in town but not only that, another reason is to do this recording project with George! It’s such an honor that George Massenburg recorded this piece for me. (http://www.massenburg.com) Also the studio is only 15min. away from my home in Nashville. It’s so fortunate to have the great engineer with great studio! 　　 George Massenburg is very well known as a person who invented parametric equalizer and also as most of you know he has done recordings of so many famous albums like EW&F, Phil Collins, etc. etc… He was very excited and interested in recording his first Steve Reich piece, and he properly planned this recording reading and analyzing the score very precisely. It was also a coincidence that his good friend Bob Ludwig is the engineer who recorded the original Pat Metheny’s Electric Counterpoint. 　　 After day 1 George handed me a copy of part 3. Even a rough edit it’s surprisingly great sound with clarity of each layers and textures of each instruments. He placed 8 different mics in various positions for adding acoustic reverb and selected by each movement, instrumentations and images. The studio we used was “D” this room is equipped with natural chamber to record natural reverberation. Also he recorded all at the sample rate of 192k/24bit. What a luxury! 　　 George was very fast! Recording and editing almost simultaneously and keep moving on. I was also moving forward with almost one or two take. Even though it took two entire days and finished at almost 2am on 2nd day with small amount of editing. Anyway these two full recording days were truly happy days for me! (I sincerely thank George and his assistant Kazuri for their great & dedicated works) Of course we will run this source into multi-channel / multi-source at live performance. I am really curious how Mr. Miyamoto will cook this for the performance. Also I believe this can be a world premiere of “Electric Counterpoint ? version for multi-percussion”. http://www.stevereich.com (refer the performance schedule from Steve Reich official site as well) Electric Counterpoint with steel pan, vibe and marimba combination
\| About live performance \| We have performed 5 shows in 3 days. We want to thank all the people who came to SOUND SPACE EXPERIMENT- Steel Drum Works! There were many who came for all 3 days as well. Thanks again! I myself extremely enjoyed everyday, every performance for last 3 days. Since we started the creation at BankART1929 on 13th, moved to Asahi Art Square on 23rd to redo set up then last 3 days and 5 performances, it has been almost two weeks but I felt like a moment of blink. Also I can not thank enough for the staffs, sponsors and all other supporting organizations such as Asahi Beer, Asahi Beer Arts Foundation, Asahi Art Square, Hibino Corp., Taguchi, Saitama Arts Foundation, BankART, (CD Jacket Image) Also I thank you very much for purchasing many CDs during the performance. We released this CD with selected works and all tracks are played in Live. They were recorded at Saitama Arts Theatre by Mr. Sankai after we finished the dance project “Play of a Play” by Megumi Nakamura then I edited and mixed, however the mastering was done by Seigen Ono!!! Also CD contains a hidden track at last and the piece was dedicated for Mr. Nobuyuki Kojima who was the producer of Saitama Arts Foundation and died suddenly by accident last year. Later full version of Steel Drum Works will be released and also hopefully Electric Counterpoint will be as well. Please visit my web site and check the latest info.. Lastly we intended to include a message about environmental protection, and some of you may have noticed there are recycling marks here and there on the promo materials as well. Global warming and environmental issues are one of my biggest concerns now, and probably you wondered what she is going to do with this many steel drums after the concert? Well, These drums are all 100% recyclable and are returned to Nippon Steel Drum Co. to reborn as another drum. I miss them after all…but will be able to see them again.
© 2008 all rights reserved kuniko-kato.net.....