Collection of popular classical songs arranged for the shakuhachi and piano. Theses timeless classical favorites were arranged for the shakuhachi by Marco Lienhard and piano arrangements by Charles W. Tang.

The catalyst for this project occurred last year when I, Marco Lienhard, performed a few classical pieces with Charles Tang during the annual concert of the East Winds Ensemble at Symphony Space on New York City’s Upper West Side. The audience response to the unique collaboration – shakuhachi and piano – and fresh interpretation of the classical numbers was very positive and appreciative. We are very passionate about our music. The shakuhachi is a five-holed bamboo flute that has an amazing range. I have been playing it for over 30 years. After recording numerous Japanese music CD, I thought it was time to go back to my roots and give a fresh and new interpretation of some of the most famous classical pieces. This unique interpretation of the classics is a fresh take on the music and it will certainly become your favorite soon. The title is based on the popular melody by Claude Debussy: Rêverie - 夢想, Claude Debussy (1862-1918)- I wanted the whole album being a day dream- music that will take you away for a day from your worries and transport you in a calm and pleasant place

Here are the tracks: Title: Rêverie-夢想(Musou)　Marco Lienhard Shakuhachi

1. Sheep May Safely Graze from Cantata BWV 208 - 羊は安らかに草を食み, J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

2. Musetta's Waltz Song from La Bohème -’ボエーム’よりムゼッタのワルツ,　Giacomo Puccini (1858 –1924)

3. Canon in D-涙のカノン, Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)

4. Träumerei, Op. 15/7 -トロイメライ, Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

5. Vocalise, Op.34 No. 14 -ヴォカリーズ, Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)

6. Ave Maria, Op. 52/6 -シューベルトの アヴェマリア, Franz Shubert (1797-1828)

7. Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann - ホフマンの舟歌 , Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)

8. Jupiter from The Planets, Op. 32 - 木星, Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

9. Rêverie - 夢想, Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

10. Jesu, Joy of Man‘s Desiring from Cantata BWV147 -主よ人の望みの喜び, J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

11. "O mio babbino caro" ("Oh My Beloved Father" from the opera Gianni Schicchi) -’ジャンニスキッキ’より　私のいとしいお父さん, Giacomo Puccini (1858 –1924)

12. Méditation on 1st Prelude by Bach - グノーのアヴェマリア, Charles Gounod (1818-1893)

13. Largo from the Symphony No. 9 'New World'- ’新世界’より　ラルゴ, Antonin Dvorak　(1841-1904)

14. Largo from Xerxes (HWV 40) - ’セルセ’よりラルゴ, G. F. Handel (1685-1759)

15. Vltava/ Die Moldau , JB 1:112/2 -モルダウ, Bedřich Smetana (1824 –1884)

16. Solveig’s Song from Peer Gynt, Suite No. 2, Op/ 55 -ソルヴェイグの歌, Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

17. Waltz, Op. 39, No. 15 - ワルツ, Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

18. Humoresque Op. 101 No. 7 - ユモレスク, Antonin Dvorak(1841-1904)

19. Méditation from Thais - タイスの瞑想曲, Jules Massenet ( 1842-1912)

20. Pavane Op.50- パヴァーヌ, Gabriel Fauré ( 1845-1914)

21. Air from the Orchestral Suite No. 3 D Major, BWV1068 - G線上のアリア, J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

22. Gymnopédie 1 - ジムノペディ１番, Erik Satie (1866-1925)

Before learning to play the Japanese flute during my 18-year stay in Japan, I studied piano and classical flute in Switzerland and have always been very fond of classical music. My father introduced me to opera at an early age so I grew up listening to the music that Charles and I plan to include in our new recording. I am very excited to finally play and record these songs that I have been performing on the shakuhachi in concert with Charles on the piano. Charles is a Julliard graduate and an incredibly talented musician. It has been a real treat for me to work with him on this project. Our most recent shakuhachi-piano collaboration was an album of modern pieces by Japanese composer Fukuda Rando.

Charles and I were very pleased to record our last CD at a great studio – Oktaven Studio in Yonkers – that specializes in producing classical recordings. Oktaven Studio has an outstanding engineer (Ryan Streber) and exceptional Steinway grand piano with a beautiful tone that we plan to use again for our project.

The shakuhachi is an end blown bamboo flute with four holes in the front and one hole in the back. It was used as a form of Buddhist meditation. In the Meianji temple in Kyoto, monks used to play these pieces as part of their training. The monk’s philosophy can be defined by the following words “Ichion Joubutsu,” which means, “ a single note to reach enlightenment or Buddhahood”. It was used later in court music ensemble as accompaniment to the koto and the shamisen (a three stringed banjo-like instrument). Over the years, its presence in popular music has increased and it can now be heard in a wide range of genres. It is believed that it came to Japan from China and perhaps India along with Buddhism- it was then a six hole instrument.

BIO: Marco Lienhard has mastered the shakuhachi under Masters Katsuya Yokoyama and Teruo Furuya. Mastered the Watazumi Dokyoku style, Kinko and modern style. He was a principal member of Ondekoza from 1981-1997 where he learned and mastered the Taiko drum, the fue and folk dances. He has performed in the world’s most prestigious halls, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Boston Symphony Hall, Suntory Hall, and Osaka Festival Hall. Lienhard has done numerous recordings with Ondekoza and two critically acclaimed solo shakuhachi recordings. In 1995, Lienhard founded the group Taikoza (a New York based professional Taiko group) with which he has since toured Europe, the US and Mexico. M. Lienhard regularly performs in Japan as a guest artist. He recently performed in Tokyo to a sold out house with Kodo member Chieko Kojima. Marco Lienhard has appeared on many TV shows including “Regis and Kathie Lee Show,” the PBS special “A World of Performances,” MTV, NBC's 1998 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Lienhard has recorded music for movies and documentaries and was the featured shakuhachi player in the American premiere of “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion” with the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center. Performed in Miyazaki Japan for Carnegie Hall 's children program. Recently appeared on ESPN for the Sumo tournament where he was a featured performer. Performed for the diesel Fashion show at Hammerstein Ballroom. His has appeared on many Japanese TV programs as well TV programs around the world. His shakuhachi, fue and taiko music also appears on the new Nintendo Wii game Red Steel just released. Lienhard was an invited guest performer at many International Shakuhachi Festival s around the world. Lienhard gives master classes and concerts internationally – he was recently in Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Switzerland, France and Russia.

Quotes from the Media: “ An amazing Shakuhachi player Marco Lienhard has come out with a new CD, truly a very gifted and wonderful sense of musicality. Not since “ National Treasure” Yamaguchi Goro’s rendition of Kinko Honkyoku music have I felt the need to listen to more of his music. His rendition of Honkyoku form the Watazumi style is incredible and everyone studying the style should listen to it. His powerful and heartfelt rendition of Amazing grace reminded me of such gospel singers as Mahalia Jackson. ” Hogaku Journal, Tokyo

The shakuhachi is a five-holed Japanese bamboo flute that has an amazing range. I have been playing the Honkyoku repertoire (Zen mediation music) for over 30 years. For this album, I thought it was time to go back to my roots and give a fresh and new interpretation of some of the most famous classical pieces. I arranged an adapted these songs for the shakuhachi and piano. This unique interpretation of the classics is a fresh take on the music.

Before learning to play the Japanese flute during my 18-year stay in Japan, I studied piano and classical flute in Switzerland and have since always been very fond of classical music. This CD is dedicated to my father who introduced me to opera at an early age.

Special thanks to: My Parents, Geoffrey Polischuk, Reto Lienhard, Catherine Baroffio, Mr. and Mrs. Barrofio and to all the Kickstarter supporters and fans that make these recordings possible! Please join our mailing list or Facebook pages under my name Marco Lienhard or East Winds Ensemble

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