Kazuki Yamada, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra - The Art of Hisato Osawa (2018)

Tracklist

CD1
01. Double Bass Concerto I. Allegretto moderato [World Premiere]
02. Double Bass Concerto II. Monologue: Moderato [World Premiere]
03. Double Bass Concerto III. Aria: Andante non troppo [World Premiere]
04. Double Bass Concerto IV. Dialogue: Moderato espressivo [World Premiere]
05. Double Bass Concerto V. Finale: Allegro con brio [World Premiere]
06. Piano Concerto No. 3 in A-flat major, Kamikaze Concerto I. Larghetto maestoso - Allegro assai
07. Piano Concerto No. 3 in A-flat major, Kamikaze Concerto II. Andante cantabile
08. Piano Concerto No. 3 in A-flat major, Kamikaze Concerto III. Allegro moderato - Allegro vivace

CD2
09. Symphony No. 1 I. Adagietto - Allegro scherzando [World Premiere]
10. Symphony No. 1 II. Double Theme and Variations [World Premiere]
11. Symphony No. 1 III. Larghetto non troppo - Allgero con brio [World Premiere]



The highlights of this CD are the double bass concerto and Symphony No. 1, both of which received their world premieres during this live recording. The former is an extremely unique piece, blending a Western avant-garde style without key signatures with a distinctly Japanese sensibility—even using quarter tones—demanding advanced technique from the double bass. Symphony No. 1, on the other hand, employs a cyclical form reminiscent of Franck, boasts a Mahler-esque orchestral scale, and is an exceptionally brilliant and unconventional work with outstanding development techniques and orchestration. The CD also includes Piano Concerto No. 3, which sparked the Hisato Osawa Renaissance, and combined with the dedicated and superb performance by Kazuki Yamada and others, it is a must-listen for Osawa fans and beyond.