Explore the intersection between classical music and Japanese classical musical culture.

Koto master and curator Shirley Muramoto joins San Francisco Symphony musicians in a program that celebrates the elegant power of an instrument to connect across genres and reflect the endless diversity of our community.

Shirley Muramoto expresses, “I called [this program] ‘Niji’ because it represents a rainbow of different people and different things in the Bay Area that I’ve had the fortune to connect with and collaborate with and share music with.”

Shirley Muramoto, curator

Program:

TRADITIONAL (arr. Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto): ‘Sakura’ (Cherry Blossom)
Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto, koto

NAGASAWA KATSUTOSHI: Movement II from ‘Futatsu no Deneshi’ (Two Pastorals)
Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto, koto
Brian Mitsuhiro Wong, bass koto
Linda Lukas, flute

CHIKUSHI KATSUKO (arr. Kaoru Watanabe): ‘Nagare’ (Flow)
Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto, koto
Brian Mitsuhiro Wong, bass koto
Catherine Payne, flute
In Sun Jang & Raushan Akhmedyarova, violins
James Button, oboe
Carey Bell, clarinet
Steven Dibner, bassoon
Robert Ward, horn
David Kim, viola
Peter Wyrick, cello
Charles Chandler, double bass

SHIRLEY KAZUYO MURAMOTO & BEN PADERNA (arr. Matt Wong): ‘Niji’ (Rainbow)
Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto, koto
Brian Mitsuhiro Wong, shakuhachi bamboo flute
Jerome Simas, clarinet
Steven Braunstein, bassoon
Aaron Schuman, trumpet
Paul Welcomer, tenor trombone
Sarn Oliver & Suzanne Leon, violins
David Gaudry, viola
Amos Yang, cello
Charles Chandler, double bass
Vince Delgado, egyptian tabla
Destiny Muhammad, harp

Steven Condiotti, director
Matthew Ebisuzaki, assistant director
Kara Lancaster, editor
Luke Kritzeck, projection/lighting designer

Currents is sponsored by Chevron.