Pierre-Andre Valade (conductor); Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra; Kunitachi College of Music Clarinet Ensemble

Kondo Yuzuru: Orchestral Works Collection "Pastoral"

Kojima Recordings' 14th Kondo Yuzuru Collection is a live recording of Composium 2023, "The Music of Kondo Yuzuru," held on May 25, 2023. This diverse program, including his latest work, "Palimpsest," embodies the essence of the composer, who views the orchestra as a "paintbox of tones" and creates unique music through the cutting and interrelationship of parts. Conducted by Pierre-André Valade, the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra and others deliver a meticulous performance that vividly captures the present of resonance and construction. (From the manufacturer's information)

[Recording Information]
Yoshi Kondo:
1. Pastoral (1989) - for Orchestra
2. The Role of Bird Instruments (1975) - for Orchestra
3. Frontier (1991) - for Three Solo Clarinets and Five-Part Clarinet Ensemble
4. Brace of Shakes (2022) - for Orchestra
5. Palimpsest (2021) - for Orchestra

Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (1, 2, 4, 5)
Kunitachi College of Music Clarinet Ensemble (3)
Pierre-André Valade (Conductor)

Recorded: May 25, 2023
Recorded at: Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall "Takemitsu Memorial"
Recording Method: Stereo (Digital/Live)
Composium 2023 "Kondo "The Music of Yuzuru"

[Pierre-Andre Valade, conductor]
Born in Corrèze, France. In 1991, he founded the Ensemble Cour-Circuit in Paris, where he served as its music director until 2008. He currently serves as resident conductor of the Mitre Ensemble (Tel Aviv) and is active as a guest conductor with orchestras around the world. While pursuing a wide range of repertoire, he specializes in works from the 20th century onward, and his performances of the Spectral School, such as Grisey and Murail, are particularly highly acclaimed. In addition to being a regular guest with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Valade has conducted numerous orchestras and ensembles. In Japan, he has conducted Grisey's "Acoustic Space" and Boulez's "Pri-Seron-Pri," and in 2025 he conducted the Japanese premiere (concert version) of Yuzuru Kondo's opera "Hagoromo."
Among their many recordings, Grisey's "Soundscape" won the Diapason d'Or and the Académie Charles Cros Grand Prix in 1999, while other highly acclaimed recordings include the complete Hugues Dufour collection and Birtwistle's "Theseus's Game." (From the manufacturer's information)

[Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra]
Established in 1962 as a joint venture between the Yomiuri Shimbun, Nippon Television Network, and Yomiuri Television, the orchestra aims to promote and popularize classical music. Since its founding, the orchestra has collaborated with world-renowned conductors and soloists. Since April 2019, Sebastian Weigle has served as the orchestra's 10th Principal Conductor, furthering its fulfilling activities. Currently, Princess Hisako of Takamado serves as Honorary Advisor, and the orchestra has presented numerous concerts at venues such as Suntory Hall in Tokyo and the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, with which it has a business partnership. In November 2017, the orchestra received rave reviews for its Japan premiere of Messiaen's "Saint Francis of Assisi" conducted by S. Cambreling, receiving the Suntory Music Prize and other awards. In December 2010, the orchestra received the Grand Prize at the Japan Arts Festival, sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The orchestra is also actively engaged in performing contemporary works, including world premieres of new works by Toru Takemitsu, Satoshi Ichiyanagi, Toshio Hosokawa, Heinz Zender, and Dai Fujikura. In August 2013, the orchestra conducted P.-A. Valad and performed the Japanese premiere (concert version) of Jo Kondo's opera "Hagoromo." Concerts and other events have been broadcast on Nippon Television. (From manufacturer information)

[Kunitachi College of Music Clarinet Ensemble]
This ensemble, comprised of current students, alumni, and faculty, was formed for Composium 2023, "The Music of Jo Kondo." The ensemble consists of three soloists and five groups of five, for a total of 25 people.
Solo: Kaori Tanaka, Takuma Sato, Hiroki Domen
1st: Kyoya Kato, Hana Sato, Hikaru Nakano, Nao Chonabayashi, Nanoha Tateishi
2nd: Kana Doi, Ruri Nogami, Kotomi Isobe, Hitomi Nojo, Yuna Tsukiyama
3rd: Natsuki Ikenotani, Rei Endo, Reira Obata, Suzuka Onodera, Hibiki Kunigami
4th: Kazumi Shirakawa, Yuwa Omiya, Eri Oishi, Nami Kurita, Sumika Abe
5th: Saori Hamamei, Sakurana Funamoto, Mei Iimura, Yudai Hamaguchi, Tomohiko Owada (according to the manufacturer's information)