Part of the 'noiseless' re-releases of classic archive material ie. previous tape noise has been removed. Michio Miyagi (1894-1956) almost singlehandedly brought koto music into the 20th century, creating a new style of music based on western ideas. His compositions of new hogaku rank alongside his western classical music counterparts such as Debussy. Blind from early childhood, he tragically died during his creative prime falling from a speeding train. Nevertheless he left behind a formidable body of work. This superb CD compiles seven of his masterpieces, including his most famous piece, Haru No Umi, together with a French violinist recorded in the 40s, plus Sakura Henso-kyoku, Seoto, Ochiba No Odori, Kazoeuta Henso-kyoku, Sarashikaze-tegoto, Haru no Otozure. The koto players include Kiyoko Miyagi.
