Internationally acclaimed pianist Kotaro Fukuma will bring his water-inspired recital, “Shimmering Water,” to Mountain View’s Community School of Music and Arts at 7 p.m. Oct. 27, taking audiences on a musical journey through nature, memory and imagination.
Presented by the Japan Society of Northern California as part of its inaugural Arts from Japan series, the recital will feature classical compositions by Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Toru Takemitsu, among others. The performance will explore the theme of water through a combination of familiar and less-known works, including Fukuma’s own transcription of Bedrich Smetana’s “The Moldau.” The concert also marks Fukuma’s Bay Area debut.
For Fukuma, the inspiration behind “Shimmering Water” extends beyond his appreciation for nature and into his own identity.
“The theme of shimmering water has been very important for me because in my name there’s a kanji character … It’s combined with two parts: water and light. So this kind of character suggests the image of shimmering water,” said Fukuma, who has performed in more than 35 countries.
John Robinson, Japan Society of Northern California senior director of advancement and cultural initiatives, said the Mountain View recital will “be very intimate.”
“So maybe 150 to 160 people in the Tateuchi Hall,” he said, “and a beautiful acoustic, and a really great piano, and a wonderful artist, and just a chance to really hear an artist in that kind of intimate scale that you don’t always get to have.”
Rather than presenting a traditional collection of classical works, Fukuma hopes to take listeners through different musical landscapes.
“I wanted to create this program like a journey on the water,” Fukuma said.
Despite the carefully selected repertoire, Fukuma said the meaning of each composition ultimately rests with the listener.
“There’s no obligation, and there’re no rules when you listen to music,” Fukuma said. “You just imagine whatever you want, and then just enjoy the journey.”
Fukuma said blending recognizable classical compositions with lesser-known works allows him to introduce audiences to a broader range of music styles.
“I like to combine those different styles of music within one theme … and also to present something known and something rare, because … I have a passion to discover and to play something rare as well,” said the Tokyo native.
Japanese composer Takemitsu also holds a special place in Fukuma’s repertoire, with his compositions reflecting a wide range of musical influences.
“I’m always amazed by the fact that so many artists, so many people appreciate his music … I consider him a really big, important composer from Japan,” Fukuma said. “Maybe the biggest composer from Japan in the 20th century.”
Fukuma said the upcoming recital will mark his first performance in the Bay Area.
“It’s a huge honor for me to be part of it … It’s going to be my debut in (the) San Francisco Bay Area,” Fukuma said.
Robinson said the Arts from Japan initiative seeks to strengthen cultural ties between Japan and Northern California.
“We were interested in presenting distinctive artistic voices from Japan, whether it be visual artists or musical artists,” Robinson said.
Robinson attributed the initiative’s development in part to the late board member Michi Kaifu, whose passion for music and visual arts helped shape the organization’s cultural programming.
“She was always encouraging us to do more cultural arts programming … the board has really made this an important part of its strategic plan to develop an arts and culture platform,” Robinson said.
With its intimate setting and carefully selected repertoire, Robinson said the recital offers a different experience from performances in larger concert halls.
“This is a chance to hear him in the jewel box of a venue, and to hear a really carefully curated (program),” he said.
The Oct. 27 concert will take place in Tateuchi Hall at CSMA, 230 San Antonio Circle. Tickets are $30-$45.
For tickets and more information, see tinyurl.com/ShimmeringWater.
