Biography
James Nyoraku Schlefer holds advanced degrees, and has years of performing experience, in two musical traditions. His original compositions bring the musical worlds of Japan and the West together. Of particular interest is combining Japanese and Western instruments in new compositions that explore two sound worlds in a way that is exciting but not derivative, beautiful yet deeply respectful of both classic traditions. I have been composing music that combines Japanese instruments with Western classical ensembles for over a decade. Merging two different musical traditions presents unique challenges, not the least of which is the reconciliation of two often opposing musical philosophies. For example, while Western classical music often emphasizes evenness of tone, the less mechanized Japanese musical language accommodates natural differences in timbre. Likewise, rhythm in traditional Japanese music makes use of “MA”? (space or emptiness), a noticeable lack of sound, which contrasts with the impulse in Western tradition to fill the void. In my music I strive to transcend these disparities, bringing a different technical rigor to Japanese instruments and a sense of breath and silence to the Western instruments.
COMPOSITIONS FOR JAPANESE AND WESTERN INSTRUMENTS
- THE FULL BLOOD MOON
Shakuhachi, Koto, Shamisen and String Quartet (2019)
One Movement, app. 15 min. VIMEO - CURBSIDE SHUFFLE
Shakuhachi and Cello (2018)
One Movement, app. 12 min. SoundCloud - THE TROGLODYTE
Shakuhachi, Two Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass (2018)
One Movement, app. 17 min. VIMEO - 2BLUE
Shakuhachi and Viola (2016)
One movement, app. 7 min. VIMEO - JAMU II
Shakuhachi, Koto, Flute, String Trio and Percussion (2016)
One movement, app 11 min. VIMEO - JAMU!
Shakuhachi, Koto, Flute, String Trio and Percussion (2015)
Two movements, app 11 min. VIMEO I VIMEO II - FULL-OUT STILLNESS
Shakuhachi and Cello (2014)
One Movement, app. 14 min. - SIDEWALK DANCES
Shakuhachi and Cello (2014)
One Movement, app. 14 min. VIMEO - DREAM CORNER
Shakuhachi, Koto, Shamisen, Voice and String Quartet (2013)
11 Movements, app. 38 min. VIMEO - CONCERTANTE
Solo Shakuhachi, Koto, Violin and Cello with Chamber Orchestra (2013)
3 movements, app. 21 min. YOUTUBE - STRING JOURNEY
Shamisen, Voice and String Quartet (2012)
1 movement, app. 12 min. VIMEO - SMILE ON THE BUDDHA CALM
Piano Trio with Shakuhachi (2012)
1 movement, app. 9 min. VIMEO - SANKYOKU NO. 1
Shakuhachi, Koto and Cello (2011)
3 movements, app. 20 min. VIMEO - TAKE REI
Shakuhachi and Crotales (2011)
1 movement, app. 8 min. - HARU NO UMI REDUX
Shakuhachi, Koto and String Orchestra or String Quartet (2011)
app. 9 min. YOUTUBE - OASHISU
Dance Score for Shakuhachi, Koto, Cello and Percussion (2010)
Multiple movements, 20 min. - CONCERTO FOR SHAKUHACHI
Shakuhachi, Strings, Harp and Percussion (2009)
3 movements, 28 min. YOUTUBE - QUINTET No. 1
Shakuhachi and String Quartet (2006)
3 movements, app. 25 min.
COMPOSITIONS FOR JAPANESE INSTRUMENTS
- WE SHALL (SURELY) MEET AGAIN
Shakuhachi, Koto, Shamisen (2017)
1 Movement, app. 13 min. VIMEO - TROIS BAMBOU: HOMMAGE A HOZAN YAMAMOTO
3 Shakuhachi (2014)
app. 7 min. - MOONWALKING
Shakuhachi and Bass Koto (2012)
3 movements. app. 14 min. SOUNDCLOUD - DUO No. 3
Shakuhachi and 20-string Koto (2007)
1 Movement, 15 min. - DUO No. 2
Shakuhachi and Shamisen (2006)
1 movement, 10 min. YOUTUBE - KUMOIJISHI
4 Shakuhachi (2005)
Arrangement of traditional honkyoku. 6 min. - BIG PIECE
Shakuhachi Orchestra in Five Parts (2004)
1 movement, 12 min. - DUO No. I
Shakuhachi and Koto (2004)
1 movement, 13 min. YOUTUBE - FLARE UP
solo Shakuhachi (2002)
1 Movement, 8 min. - TIMELESS MOMENT
4 Shakuhachi (2001)
1 Movement, 5 min.
- COUPLE DANCE
2 Shakuhachi (1999)
Commissioned by Mary Flagler Cary Trust. 13 min. - BROOKLYN SANYA
solo Shakuhachi (1999)
1 movement, 9 min. - DARANI REVISITED
Shakuhachi, Violin, Viola, Cello (1998)
Arrangement of traditional piece. 1 movement, 8 min. - VARIATIONS ON “AMAZING GRACE”
solo Shakuhachi (1997)
6 min. - SOLSTICE SPIRIT
Shakuhachi Orchestra in Four Parts (1997)
18 min.