Shuta Hasunuma Philharmonic Orchestra / Imr
https://linkco.re/351DzsGx
Lyrics, Composed, Produced by Shuta Hasunuma
Vocal, Piano, Rhodes Chroma, Percussion,
Recording Shuta Hasunuma
Synthesizer, Recording by Itoken
Steelpan, Recording by Kobayashi Utena
Bass, Recording: Hiroki Chiba
Guitar, Recording: Shuta Ishizuka
Guitar, Recording: Ryosuke Saito
Drums, Recording Jimanica
Saxophone, Voice Percussion, Recording by Yoshio Otani
Recorder: Chiaki Miura
Flute, Recording Natsumi Miyaji
Euphonium, Recording by Tomohiko Gondo
Viola Eriko Teshima
Marimba, Recording K-Ta
Mix Toshihiko Kasai (STUDIO ATLIO)
Mastered by Kentaro Kimura at KIMKEN STUDIO, 2020
Design by Ryohei Kaneda
Text Masaaki Hara
Lyrics
“Imr”
In my room.
Stayin' home. Havin' a good rest.
Measuring the distance between our hearts
Wanting to connect without touching, the wind now blows in through the window, bringing clear air, and you appear. Sounds reach us from each place, building a bond. Invisible movements spread without us realizing it. Our quiet activities make our earth vibrant. After this, we come closer, listening intently to the footsteps of the world. Voices gather together and sing.
Let's make everyone aware of this beautiful holiday. Let's enjoy the view from this room.
Text
The sudden pandemic completely transformed the environment surrounding music. As the 20th century drew to a close, technology lowered the barriers to creating music and broadened the scope of music listening. Music spread via the internet, music engraved on old records, and music performed in front of you were all equally enjoyable. There were also minor conflicts between analog/digital, physical/data, and human/machine, but these now seem insignificant. This was how we spent the first 20 years or so of the 21st century with music.
People gather to play and listen to music, a space is born, and time flows. That scene is now lost, but what remains are the small, real spaces where individuals live, and the vast, virtual spaces where individuals connect. So, what should we do? Can technology still help? I think we need to train and use our imagination, something that music once inspired me to do.
Amidst a string of days where I haven't felt particularly inclined to listen to music, I received "Imr" by Shuta Hasunuma Philharmonic Orchestra. This piece was composed by each of the 14 Philharmonic Orchestra members, each contributing spontaneously in their own individual spaces, and then coming together as a single piece. It was created without the recording process that traditionally presupposes a substantial ensemble, but this piece, which declares that composing, performing, and listening are all forms of communication, embodies the ensemble itself. The dynamism created by the layered harmonies and grooves, with no one or any sound taking center stage, is complex, and seems to celebrate something that is not yet fully formed. I am listening to the new space that begins here.
Masaaki Hara