Solem Quartet - Richard Blackford: Seven Hokusai Miniatures

The seven prints I chose from Hokusai�s immense output of Ukiyo-e, or �pictures from the floating world�, represent landscapes, seascapes and scenes from Japanese town and country life around the iconic Mount Fuji. Whereas some movements are inspired by a single picture, others are composites of many scenes or visual variations on a theme. The poems of Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949) cover a wide range of human experience, I chose an accompaniment of string quartet and clarinet to extend and enhance the richness of Naidu�s imagery and the passion she evokes. Dragon Songs of Granny Chang were recorded in 1981, the original tape sat on my shelf for years. Now digitally transferred by Nimbus and we were surprised and delighted at how fresh and dynamic the recording still sounds today.