chieko mori

HOMEPAGE
http://morichieko.fastmail.fm

KOTO STUDIO (Tokyo)
http://kotostudio.fastmail.fm

Chieko Mori started to learn the Japanese Traditional Instrument Koto and Japanese Dance since the age of three. After graduated University in Tokyo (SFC), She started to compose her own music and left Japan to find new frontier for her music. In 1999, Chieko moved to Italy Treviso, where She was invited to FABRICA for years and had been to explore musical traditions, especially those between Eastern/Western music, and Acoustic music beyond borders. Chieko Mori though having fully mastered the techniques of classical playing handed down, adopts a fresh approach towards the instrument, suggesting new possibilities for improvising and imagination. Her koto composition had been collaborated with Michael Galasso (violinist - composer) , Phil Minton, Robert Wilson's theater production.In 2005, her first solo album, Jumping Rabbit, has been released from Tzadik in New York.
Spring in 2008, She had composed music for Swedish choreographer Virpi Pahkinen's world premier at Dansens Hus in Stockholm.
Chieko established “Koto Studio” her own school for teaching Koto in Tokyo since 2007, where she enthusiastically leads the way to a new generation of young Koto Performers.

Discography Solo:

Jumping Rabbit (Tzadik 2005 )

Katyou Fuugetsu(Felmay 2006 )

Discography Compilations:

La Biennale di Venezia 2001 composition with
Michael Galasso for Milan dance company Corte Sconta (2001)

East Asia Travelogue (2002)

las musicas de Japon (2002) Fnac Spain

Gray Sky(2002) Joined recordings for Giorgio Armani fashion exhibition at the Guggenheim N.Y.

The Garden Of Forking Paths (Important Records 2008)

Hero Tales (Japanese Animation sound track 2008)







improvised for Japan festival at British Museum(London)

Review

The sound that she plays doesn’t belong to any of the genre such as the West, the Orient, Classics, the Contemporary music, and Avant-gardes, yet she is eager to embrace them all. Her sound is a voice of her own soul.
Antonio Convertini 2006 Kino Music Italy


instrument traditionnel japonais, qui pratique son art depuis son enfance. Minimaliste, simple, mais pourtant remplie d’e..motions, ce 《 jumping rabbit 》 me..rite plus que le coup d’oreille. C’est toute la tradition japonaise qui nous remonte facilement dans la te^te et qui nous traverse l’esprit a.. l’e..coute de la virtuosite.. de son auteur. Une galette de toute beaute.. qui vous poussera a.. la me..ditation malgre.. vous, ce qui fait d’ailleurs la grande force de ce disque.
Adrien, webmagazine pepper-zone, 2006 in France


Studying koto since the age of three, Mori Chieko is one of the world’s most versatile koto virtuosos. She has spent long periods in Italy, London and the United States, collaborated with Michael Galasso, and created music for dance, film and theater, including several productions by Robert Wilson. Her first CD for Tzadik was recorded in both Italy and New York, and presents a beautiful series of pieces for solo koto, and koto and voice. Lyrical and meditative, Jumping Rabbit is a CD of remarkable beauty and heartfelt emotions.
voice from John Zorn (CD from Jumpiing Rabbit, 2005)


She is a Master Koto Player.
India TIME magazine, 2002


Good meditative stroll and pluking melodies from the ether.
Paul Fisher, critic


A young and wonderfully talented interantional musician, she is able to use her Japanese classic music tradition in surprising and her own creative way.
Michael Galasso, composer

Red Koto

(for iPad / iPhone / iPodTouch)

Red Koto ..is original tunings of Chieko Mori.

KotoTunings1.1.1

(for iPad / iPhone / iPodTouch )