Biwa

November 18, 2005 3:22 PM

What are some good biwa recordings? I ask because I just watched Kwaidan.
posted by Eothele to Media & Arts (2 answers total)

Toru Takemitsu wrote a number of pieces for traditional Japanese instruments, including the biwa. It's modern classical music, though, not folk music, so it might not be exactly what you're looking for (I've never seen Kwaidan).

But give it a shot -- you might love it! There's a CD called 'In an Autumn Garden' (Amazon) that has a nice little selection of pieces, and I think they all include the biwa. It's haunting (and in places, disturbing) music.
posted by chrismear at 1:09 AM on November 19, 2005

Biwa? I thought it was a Shamisen? If so, this is the guy you want.
posted by exhilaration at 9:24 AM on November 20, 2005