Symphony Kukai returns to London, bridging cultures through music

"It's unique"

Among both musicians and audiences, one description was repeated frequently: Symphony Kukai is unique.

"We've been playing a lot of very active, very difficult music, where you sometimes feel like a mathematician because it's so complex that you have to keep counting," said Lasma Taimina, sub-principal first violin of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. "And yet, this makes you feel like a musician."

She added that while much contemporary repertoire can be difficult to grasp, this music "speaks directly—you don't have to pretend to understand it."

Templeton highlighted that the composer's sound is very unique: the colors he gets, the way that he uses intervals, the way he spreads the chords, and the way he uses the instruments together.

Visually, a drum measuring 1.5 meters in diameter was a notable element of the performance.

"The composers required the Japanese drum for the first version, then he changed it to the Chinese drum because it wouldn't be so available everywhere," Yuasa explained. "However, I felt this music should include a real Japanese taiko."

After consulting a close friend who is a world-renowned taiko player, Yuasa was able to locate and rent the instrument in London.

"I also asked the flutist to play a little bit like a shakuhachi, the Japanese bamboo flute, and she really managed it wonderfully," Yuasa added.

For audience member Wilmers, the sonic landscape is very unusual. "There are so many Chinese and Eastern sounds in the music—it just transports you to the East."