CD: A Japanese Journey
"A Japanese Journey – Nihon no tabiji" reflects the fact that over the last ten years, I have spent many months touring Japan through all the varied seasons and have travelled to its many different areas. I have been lucky enough to glimpse the hidden Japan and to sense the true culture and history of the land. To an outsider, it might appear that a Japanese person will seldom show their real feelings but these songs must surely confirm their ability to have emotions, covering the wide range from a child’s simple wonder of a red dragonfly to the remembrance of a first love. As in the great Schubert songs, so these strophic kakyoku hide a depth of meaning and one has to peel away each layer of the poems and music to discover their inner core. An album of all-Japanese traditional songs is not an unusual thing for a Japanese artist to do in Japan but the fact that I am a gai-jin – a foreigner, may give them a different slant. I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoyed recording them with the help of the wonderful Masahiro Saitoh as accompanist."
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Reviews of the Japanese song CD – "Nihon no tabiji – a Japanese Journey"
"Upon hearing the very first song I was enthralled by Charlotte’s singing. Through her one can sense the style of the Taisho/Showa epoch… she conveys the very essence of the music. One wonders where she obtained such intimate feelings which seem, at times, stronger than those posessed by many contemporary Japanese. Japanese songs have delicate words and phrases and these are reflected by the natural beauty of her voice which catches the attention of the listener. Charlotte is excellently matched with her accompanist Masahiro Saitoh and both create a harmonious ensemble. I sincerely hope that this C.D. reaches out and moves audiences world-wide."
RYOHSUKE HATANAKA (Professor Emeritus of the Tokyo University of Fine Art and Music)
"Miss de Rothschild's way of singing these Japanese songs shows a very good technique, pronounciation, grasp of harmony and attention to detail. She sings with all her heart and produces a lovely sound. Mr Saitoh is an ideal accompanist. I get the impression that she understands true Japanese feelings and she portrays so well the emotional atmosphere of pre-war Japan with this dramatically structured musical offering. This performance brings Japanese songs to an international audience. A truly wonderful atmosphere and an exceptional recording."
THE RECORD GEIJUTSU MAGAZINE
"...a fascinating C.D....Hers is a beautifully controlled, pure, lyrical voice whose clarity of diction and obvious empathy with the music and words that she sings render to her recording a special intimacy and charm... For, although Charlotte de Rothschild interprets songs by Chausson, Fauré, Gershwin, Satie etc., and shows remarkable affinity for the French "mélodies", one's attention is almost monopolised by the polished and melodic compositions of Mathilde de Rothschild...Their particular charm and distinctive melodic line spring to life through Charlotte de Rothschild's endearing interpretation."
(The above is about Charlotte's previous C.D. which was no. 1 in Japan in 1991)
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS, TOKYO
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