Neutral Tuning

Item details

• Description +

  • "Neutral Tuning," composed for the SHIKI -四季- Percussion Duo in 2023 as part of the Harmonize anthology project, draws from the rich tapestry of experiences found in a blending society. This piece reflects the importance of embracing individuality and personal identity while navigating the desire for unity.
    
    In a world that often prioritizes conformity, it is essential to celebrate our unique identities and experiences. Each individual story enriches our shared journey, inspiring both ourselves and those around us. I hope "Neutral Tuning" empowers you to express your true self and let your voice resonate.
    
    Ayami Okamura

• Instrumentation +

  • Marimba and Vibraphone

• Watch+

  • Performance by Shiki Percussion, Dan deSimone (vibraphone) and Ayami Okamura (marimba)
    
    

• About the composer +

  • Acclaimed as “a musician of great significance and profound musical expression,”* Ayami Okamura is an internationally recognized marimba and percussion artist, educator, arranger, and composer. Originally from Kyoto, Japan, and currently residing in Germany, she has captivated audiences across the United States, Europe, and her home country.
    
    As a dedicated soloist, Ayami actively commissions and premieres new works, collaborating with renowned composers such as Julie Spencer, Peter Klatzow, Gordon Stout, and David Friedman. Her passion for arranging and composing seeks to broaden the repertoire for marimba, vibraphone, and percussion, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of genres, including classical, modern, traditional, film, and jazz. Ayami’s current solo projects are characterized by thematic storytelling and musical therapeutic qualities, with programs like “Poem of Color” and “The Scenes in Your Own Heart” receiving widespread acclaim in Japan.
    
    Since 2015, Ayami has collaborated with percussionist Dan deSimone in the SHIKI PERCUSSION DUO, focusing on expanding the percussion repertoire through innovative arrangements and compositions. Their current projects include the publication of Georg Philipp Telemann’s “Twelve Fantasias for Viola da Gamba solo,” transcribed for marimba solo, a fresh arrangement of Simeon ten Holt’s “Lemniscaat” for mallet ensemble, and the anthology project “Harmonize,” which aims to foster a more inclusive and multicultural representation of contemporary percussion music.
    
    In addition to her performance career, Ayami has appeared as a guest artist and faculty member at numerous prestigious international events, including the Southern California Marimba Festival (California, USA), Boston GuitarFest (Boston, USA), Ivana Summer Percussion Festival (Samobor, Croatia), and the Zeltsman Marimba Festival (New Jersey, USA). She has presented masterclasses at renowned universities and colleges worldwide, including the University of Michigan and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
    
    As an endorser and artist for Adams Percussion and Balter Mallets, Ayami currently holds a faculty position at Hochschule für Musik Detmold in Germany, where she teaches vibraphone and percussion. She is also a co-founder of the Detmold Percussion Group.
    
    Official Website: www.ayamiokamura.com

• Credits +

  • Front Cover design: Nicola Lee
    Photographer: Hideo Kataoka
    Make up: Yoshiko Murase
    Photo: ©TAKUMI JUN
    Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
    www.editionsvitzer.com

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