Japanese shinobue musician Yasukazu Kano and Swedish jazz pianist and composer Mattias Lindberg have been building a musical dialogue between Japan and Sweden through an ongoing collaboration. Their music weaves traditional bamboo flute with jazz, improvisation and Nordic soundscapes, moving between stillness, energy and spontaneity.
The theme of the concert – peace – comes from the mutual understanding between the artists about the current state of the world. The worrisome message lands as a thoughtful, not heavy remark that gives more weight to the themes raised in the compositions. Life, festivals, nature, joy – all the things that are worth existing for.
Prayer for Peace is a shot of hope that everyone who reads the news needs.
To add to the message, Yasukazu Kano shared a personal story of his parents’ experiences during the Second World War. To pass on the reminder about the fear of war, they gave him a name that means “peaceful”.
Prayer for Peace is a compelling connection between Nordic and Japanese styles that goes beyond beautiful sounds. The flow of the concert is very organic: it immerses you in their world without overwhelming you. Like a woven fabric, it embraces you and invites you to learn more about the differences and similarities between the Eastern and the Western ways of music. The performance included the original compositions of both artists, solidifying the success of their collaboration. At a certain point, you might find yourself listening to the compositions, attempting to identify if this particular section carries more of a Japanese or a Nordic fleur.
The spoiler? It doesn’t really matter because together, their music is one. It is one of those nights that highlight that communication is key.
Kano and Lindberg have shared the stage several times and keep finding working together inspiring. As Lindberg said, “We see and feel the music in the same way”. You immediately notice the smooth connection between the musicians. No lost-in-translation moments, just good old creativity.
What I loved the most is the quiet luxury of the music. It is clear and easy to follow, with intention and thoughtfulness behind every note.
A special treat was Kano performing a “very-very Japanese” solo piece on drums that is usually played at local festivals in his town in Japan.
Kano and Lindberg took the stage at The Grünewald Hall in Konserthuset. Beautifully decorated walls and ceiling certainly add to the charm of the evening – the decoration doesn’t conflict with the artistic message, it adds to it.
Photos courtesy of Mattias Lindberg
