An Electrifying Blend of Music Theatre and Japanese Mythos
Originally conceived between 1998 and 1999 in close collaboration with renowned percussionist Kuniko Kato, Jōdo is an immersive exploration of spiritual longing and human desire, inspired by the poignant short story The Priest of Shiga Temple and His Love by celebrated Japanese author Yukio Mishima.
Commissioned by Graeme Hall and dedicated to Kuniko Kato, Jōdo received its first semi-staged performance in Oxford in 1999, featuring soprano Sarah Leonard and Kuniko Kato. The work reached full theatrical realisation in 2005, with performances in Yokohama, Nagoya, and Tokyo, under the visionary direction of Satoshi Miyagi.
Jōdo delves into Mishima’s narrative of a Buddhist priest whose devout aspirations toward The Pure Land (“Jōdo”) are shattered when he encounters a captivating Court Lady, the Great Imperial Concubine. Their brief yet intense meeting triggers a profound psychological struggle, as both characters wrestle with forbidden emotions and the tension between spiritual duty and earthly desire. The story unfolds across five parts, each focusing on different emotional and narrative dimensions—from the serene depiction of The Pure Land to the harrowing internal conflicts faced by the Priest and the Concubine, culminating in a final, fleeting moment of contact symbolised by the delicate disturbance of wind chimes.
Musically, Jōdo is distinguished by its unique instrumentation, blending traditional Japanese percussion with contemporary techniques. Alongside a substantial marimba part, the score features instruments such as shimedaiko, hiradaiko, rin, monkey drum, mokusho, mokugyo, and the water drum—an inverted dried gourd shell resonating on water. These traditional sounds are interwoven with evocative electronic textures, crafted from a diverse palette of sonic materials, including filtered vocal sounds, Japanese drums, marimba, natural elements like running water and birdsong, and the ethereal resonance of spinning bronze bells from France’s Obertino foundry.
The original Japanese text is recited by Kuniko Kato and intricately woven into the electronic soundscape, while soprano Anja Petersen performs in an imaginary language inspired by Japanese syllables, enhancing the work’s otherworldly atmosphere.
James Wood’s meticulous realisation of the electronic components employs the advanced IRCAM Spatialisateur, creating an expansive, immersive sound environment in live performances. This CD release is augmented with binaural and four-channel surround-sound versions available for download from Sargasso, offering a deeply spatial auditory experience.
Jōdo is a transcendent auditory journey that bridges cultural, temporal, and emotional landscapes. Through its exploration of universal themes—the conflict between spiritual aspirations and human passions—Wood’s work resonates with timeless relevance.
TRACK LIST:
- Part 1: The Pure Land [4:12]
- Part 2: Contemplation and Vengeance [9:38]
- Part 3: The Great Imperial Concubine [8:53]
- Part 4: The Priest of Shiga Temple [8:23]
- Part 5: Final Encounter [9:24]
Anja Petersen: soprano
Kuniko Kato: percussion
James Wood: electronics
Recorded 11–21 November 2024 in the composer’s own studio, Schlenzer, Germany Recording Engineer: Rudolf Preckwinkel
Editing, post-production and mastering: James Wood
More info: www.choroi.net
PLEASE NOTE: on purchasing the CD you will also receive links to download the Binaural and Quad versions of ‘Jodo’.
