Over the last several years, Dr. Koji Nakano has composed cross-cultural works for Western and traditional Asian instruments, collaborating with musicians, dancers, and filmmakers in Asia, the U.S., and Europe. The idea of living composition is to explore solutions to problems of cross-cultural esthetics and musical elements, as well as to redefine the role of the modern composer in the multicultural society of the 21st century. In this lecture, Nakano, the Head of International Affairs Faculty of Music and Performing Arts Burapha University, Thailand, will examine the incorporation of Asian vocal and instrumental techniques into Western musical languages, using his own compositions as a guide, and discuss how hybrid musical elements are influenced by his heritage. He will also discuss the creative process behind Imagined Sceneries, a piece co-commissioned by Isabella Ramos ’17 and Associate Professor of Music Anne Harley, which will premiere this October at Scripps. For a full festival schedule, please visit here.
This program is presented in partnership with the Scripps Department of Music and the Office of Public Events and Community Programs. It is part of a week-long celebration of Noh theater at the Claremont Colleges.