The Tale Of Genji: A Symphonic Fantasy was composed for an audiovisual stage show celebrating the classic novel. This is a live recording of such a show held on November 22, 1998 at the NHK Hall in Tokyo.
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The following text is from the record sleeve:
"I have composed a fantasy suite inspired by human relationships of the time with its dazzling and luxurious court culture in full bloom. This tale takes you back 1000 years. From the number of fateful things happening to women living at that time, one cannot help but imagine their sorrow, jealousy and the entangled human relationships, where human souls after death try to live in the form of vengeful spirits.
However, strangely we find the story illusionary and beautiful. Thinking about the candid happenings written in the story, which could happen today, I cannot help feeling that this is a story which happened on a planet of fantasy a thousand light years away in a vast universe.
Still, we can relate the story to something that lies deep in our mind from our own ordinary lives today. This is what makes it more than just another fable.
The play consists of a full orchestra, vocal and biwa by Mari Uehara, wind instruments and koto from the Heian period and electronic instruments using the latest computer technology." - Isao Tomita
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artist: Isao Tomita
title: The Tale Of Genji
type: album
label: Pioneer
release date: 1999
length: 66:24
genre: orchestral
country: Japan
language: Japanese
format: mp3
bitrate: vbr (193-227kbps avg)
codec: lame 3.98
credits:
Composed, arranged and conducted by Isao Tomita
Performed by The Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra
Mari Uehara - vocals, biwa
Motokazu Shinoda - synthesizer
Kohei Nishikawa - flute
Yuji Nishihara - sho, hichiriki
Harue Hanafusa - koto
tracklist:
1. Overture
2. Spring Season - Cherry Blossom Viewing At The Palace
3. Temple Prayers In The Northern Hill
4. Lovely Maiden Murasaki
5. Lady Aoi And Lady Rokujo
6. Spirit
7. Ukifune By The Uji River In Snow
8. Entering The Nunnery
9. Spring Returns
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---
The following text is from the record sleeve:
"I have composed a fantasy suite inspired by human relationships of the time with its dazzling and luxurious court culture in full bloom. This tale takes you back 1000 years. From the number of fateful things happening to women living at that time, one cannot help but imagine their sorrow, jealousy and the entangled human relationships, where human souls after death try to live in the form of vengeful spirits.
However, strangely we find the story illusionary and beautiful. Thinking about the candid happenings written in the story, which could happen today, I cannot help feeling that this is a story which happened on a planet of fantasy a thousand light years away in a vast universe.
Still, we can relate the story to something that lies deep in our mind from our own ordinary lives today. This is what makes it more than just another fable.
The play consists of a full orchestra, vocal and biwa by Mari Uehara, wind instruments and koto from the Heian period and electronic instruments using the latest computer technology." - Isao Tomita
---
artist: Isao Tomita
title: The Tale Of Genji
type: album
label: Pioneer
release date: 1999
length: 66:24
genre: orchestral
country: Japan
language: Japanese
format: mp3
bitrate: vbr (193-227kbps avg)
codec: lame 3.98
credits:
Composed, arranged and conducted by Isao Tomita
Performed by The Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra
Mari Uehara - vocals, biwa
Motokazu Shinoda - synthesizer
Kohei Nishikawa - flute
Yuji Nishihara - sho, hichiriki
Harue Hanafusa - koto
tracklist:
1. Overture
2. Spring Season - Cherry Blossom Viewing At The Palace
3. Temple Prayers In The Northern Hill
4. Lovely Maiden Murasaki
5. Lady Aoi And Lady Rokujo
6. Spirit
7. Ukifune By The Uji River In Snow
8. Entering The Nunnery
9. Spring Returns