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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

In Context: Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery


Japanese taiko drum ensemble Kodo comes to BAM with Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery March 19—21. Context is everything, so get even closer to the show with this curated selection of articles, interviews, and videos related to the production. Once you've seen it, help us keep the conversation going by telling us what you thought below.

Program Notes

Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery (PDF)

Read

Article
Rigorous Rhythm: Kaoru Watanabe on Taiko (BAM blog)
We talk taiko with Brooklyn-based Kaoru Watanabe, a former member of (and only American) in Kodo.

Article
The Life of a Kodo Apprentice (BAM blog)
Learn more about the devoted, holistic lifestyle at the core of Kodo's spectacular performance practice.

Article
Inside the kingdom of Kodo (Japan Times)
"Tamasaburo brought a new way of thinking to us." A look at Kodo's work with artistic director and kabuki theater giant Tamasaburo Bando.

List
Taiko Glossary (Taiko.com)
Brush up on your taiko terminology before seeing Mystery.


Look & Listen

Video
The Amazing Sounds of Taiko Drums
Taiko expert Hitoshi Mogi explains the history of the tradition and shows how the drums are made.
Video
Live at the Acropolis
Kodo performs at the Acropolis in Greece in 1995.

Now your turn...

So how did you enjoy the show? Likes? Dislikes? Surprises? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below.

24 comments:

  1. A bit loud for people in first row. I bring earplugs and even with this in it was still loud.

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  2. I didn't connect with the presentation, I found it a little too slow and the performance was in the dark for the first 45 minutes which put us to sleep. It wasn't emotive enough for us, and the drums were monotone without anything to pat our feet to. We left at intermission. Just our experience. Perhaps others may enjoy it, perhaps the second half is better.

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  3. Amazing, just amazing. One of the best percussion shows I have seen.

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  4. Fabulous! Absolutely wonderful!

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  5. Drum heaven! They got a standing ovation from nearly the whole audience!!!

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  6. Immensely satisfying! BTW, drums should have been a clue that it would be loud!

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  7. I don't understand how ANYBODY who attended any of these performances could say anything except how exceptional and virtuoso the performers AND performance was! Absolutely amazing. It was practically a religious experience. And except for the sad woman who sat in seat AA2 on the Friday performance -- you were particularly a misguided woman, you really don't need to speak to people the way you did -- I think everybody at my performance had a fantastic time.

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  8. I saw Kodo a few years ago and enjoyed it but this was a whole different level of experience. Very colorful and imaginative. I enjoyed the combination of music and drums and the little vignettes. The skill and enthusiasm of the performers is out of this world!

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  9. Astonishing!!! Received a standing ovation from the whole audience last night!! Heaven to my ears and visually amazing to see. At times you can see the story unfold and the performance takes you to another world where you see the drummers take you to a village in Japan or watch as they are washing clothes while really they are beating the drums, funny, spectacular, edge of your seat performance! I definitely recommend this show! I'm going to see it again today before the tickets sell out.

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  10. Kodo... Noche mágica. Com tambores capaces de susurrar y aturdir al mismo tiempo. Bellísimo espectáculo repleto de imágenes sugerentes, delicadeza y sutíl humor. Gracias a los artistas y al BAM por este regalo para los sentidos...

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  11. I thought the show was amazing. The amount of work, dedication and technical brilliance that went into the performance was awe-inspiring. I really enjoyed the performance. The one distractor for me was the role the females played in the show. I would have preferred to see some stronger representation of females - there was some unfortunate gender stereotyping that I found slightly disappointing.

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  12. Amazing performance, great energy and connection with the audience. It received a standing ovation, definitely a must see event!

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  13. I saw this opening night and was so moved and exhilarated I came home and bought tickets to see it again tonight. It was just as amazing the second time. One of the best performances I've seen at BAM.

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  14. Even from the balcony seat, this performance was great. Great beat, synchronicity, choreography, and light design.

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  15. The show was great. However, the family behind us should provided much distraction. The sounds of toy cars smashing against each other, whining, loud talking, finger snapping, continuous clapping throughout the performance, and chair kicking were not appreciated.

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  16. they were wonderful! kudos to kodo!

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  17. I went to the concert tonight, and all the players were amazing! They of course received a standing ovation! Thank to BAM and Kodo for the great night!!!!

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  18. I LOVED it!! Everything about it was awesome!! Watching the drummers made me want to take up the drums & start a drum troop. I hope BAM has Kodo back soon.

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  19. Was more than I expected: sounds, dance, staging. Great performance. Very energetic. Loved it. Audience was moved: lots of ovation and cheers.

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  20. I have attended kodo for many years but it was a big disappointment this year. Why these childish dragons and meaningless presentation of dances and actings. Why not only KODO, cutting out the frills. Kodo is a serene Japanese art, not a show. I liked the presentation of two years ago! Don't make it a cheap show. Kodo is an ART. 日本人として恥ずかしいと思いました。もっとまじめにやってください。

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  21. I attended the march 21 evening performance. I am a big Kodo fan and was surprised that the show had changed so much from the original ten or more years back. The parts of the show featuring dragons were a waste of time. The dancing with the lights over the performers heads was interesting as was the dancing with the drums strapped to the ladies chests. However, I came to see and hear the traditional drumming and there wasn't enough of that. Plus the most spectacular drumming on the huge drum which was on its side and 5 feet across was missing. That was a feat of strength and skill which should never be excluded. I agree with Mr. Sadako Vargas's that KODO is art and should be maintained as it was. It was good to see so many young performers which means that the art will be passed on and live but it is also most important to pass it on in its traditional form.

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  22. I've seen traditional taiko many times growing up, but I actually really appreciated this new take on it. I understand how people want to stick to traditions, but how else can you adapt to an audience that is younger and not as inclined to this type of sound? Things just have to take a natural progression and change in order to survive. I sat 6th row from the stage in the aisle- the visuals and sound were amazing & I loved the intensity. I would recommend this to anyone coming with an open mind and little expectation.

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  23. I just loved it. So primal !

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