shakuhachi choir (2024)
(Tall Grasses runs from 24:00-31:51)
April 17th, 2025, Shakuhachi Around the Globe, opening night concert of World Shakuhachi Festival 2025; Rudder Theater, Texas A&M University
Akihito Obama, Ichirō Seki, Ralph Samuelson, Kinya Sogawa, Kyle Chōmei Helou, Danilo Baikyō Tomic, Riley Lee, Hungwen Tsai, Hélène Seiyū Codjo, Christopher Foss, Steven Kōchiku Casano, Suizan Lagrost, Martha Reika Fabrique, and Steven Kōchiku Casano, shakuhachi; conducted by Elizabeth Brown
instrumentation: five parts, all 1.8 shakuhachi
premiere: April 25, 2024
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Hanami Nights
Hudson Valley Shakuhachi Choir
duration: 8’
program note:
Tall Grasses (2024), for shakuhachi choir, is dedicated to the Hudson Valley Shakuhachi Choir, who premiered it at Brooklyn Botanic Garden and also performed it in Innisfree Garden, as part of the Gardens for Peace program created and coordinated by the North American Japanese Garden Association in honor of the United Nations International Day of Peace. It was performed by shakuhachi players from eight countries on six continents (North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia) on the opening night concert of the World Shakuhachi Festival 2025 in Texas, Shakuhachi Around the Globe.
press:
ONE SOUND, ONE WORLD
World Shakuhachi Festival 2025
In the first evening concert I would like to mention Tall Grasses (Elizabeth Brown 2024). A quiet and precise composition beautifully brought to life by Ralph Samuelson, Hélène Seiyū Codjo, Kinya Sogawa, Akihito Obama, Ichirō Seki, Danilo Baikyō Tomic, Martha Reika Fabrique, Riley Lee, Suizan Lagrost, Hungwen Tsai, Steven Kōchiku Casano, Kyle Chōmei Helou and Christopher Foss with Elizabeth Brown herself conducting.
— Thorsten Knaub, BAMBOO – Spring/Summer 2025