Makoto Nakura, the marimbist on this album, transcribes all the pieces himself, as Bach did not write any music for the marimba.
Interpretation
Makoto Nakura, the marimbist, aims to make each note meaningful, associating it with a color, scent, or word, to deeply connect with the audience.
Compositional Technique
Makoto Nakura highlights that Bach's music is polyphonic, featuring many melodies proceeding simultaneously, each with equal importance, creating organic, three-dimensional structures.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Makoto Nakura believes Bach's music is so 'pure' and 'abstract' that it can be played on different instruments without losing its essence.
Interpretation
Makoto Nakura uses the marimba's tremolo technique, which involves rapid repetition of a note to sustain its sound, comparing it to the pointillist painting style of Seurat.
Album & Artwork
The album title, 'A Marimbist as Pointillist,' reflects Makoto Nakura's artistic approach of using tremolos to create musical 'lines' from 'points,' inspired by French pointillist painter Seurat.
Performer Biography
Makoto Nakura, the marimbist, was the first marimbist to win First Prize in the prestigious Young Concert Artists International Auditions after moving to New York City from Japan in 1994.
You might also enjoy...
Bach: English Suites Nos. 2 and 4 and French Suite No. 6 (Arr. for Percussion Duo)
Garland: The Basketweave Elegies
En Couleur
Bach Beat II
Johann Sebastian Project
Ravel: Dances & Fairy Tales
Bill Brennan: Kaleidoscope
Bach: Sonates, BWV 1001, 1003, 1005
Marimba Prayers - Works by Bach, Albert, Arlen, Morricone et al.
