SASHA SOUND ART

We are happy to announce that Mari Kawamura has recently presented a solo piano recital at Thayer Hall of Colburn School in Los Angeles, California, as part of Piano Spheres concert series. The recital titled “MA”, included works by Toro Takemitsu, M. Finnisy, Katharina Rosenberg, William Duckworth, Ianis Xenakis, and two world premiere’s – works written by Karen Tanaka, and Sasha Sound (a.k.a. Dr. Sasha Burdin).

The recital “MA” on on October 4, 2022 was one of the first public performances in Thayer Hall of Colburn School of Music, reopened for public concerts after a long period of silence, during the pandemic. People in the audience are warm and enthusiastic members of the classical music community in LA and suburbs, many of whom are also musicians, composers and music teachers. Concerts like this bring together people and create a beautiful, friendly and inviting atmosphere for everyone at the event. The concert went very well, the piano fans have enjoyed a diversity of sound palettes and techniques, mastered and expressed by Dr. Kawamura. Both premieres – “Three Aspects of Ma: Matrix, Mantra, and Magic” ‘ by Sasha Sound and “Rose Crystal” by Karen Tanaka were met with considerable enthusiasm and long applauds after the performance!

The audio engineers of the concert series Piano Spheres are working on editing and publishing the video recording of the recital, and it will be soon available on their Youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/PianoSpheres/videos.

MA (間)

As part of her doctoral studies, Dr.. Kawamura has conducted a focused research on the concept of Ma (間) (eng. – emptiness, interval, gap) as it is expressed in Japanese art and culture, and then compared her findings with the perceptions of the art works and music pieces globally, with a particular emphasis on western music and culture. While originated in Japan, the descriptions of Ma include such aspects as space, silence, Zen-like emptiness and simplicity, air and spontaneity. The discoveries and observations across the board brought her to understanding of Ma in its universal nature. The content and selection of music for this recital is informed by Dr. Kawamura’s desire to introduce and share the concept of Ma through the harmonious variety of musical forms.

More information about the piece: Three aspects of MA” by Sasha Sound.