DESCRIPTION:
Composed by Alexis Lontos Leonidou

Dedicated to Grand Master James Nyoraku Schlefer

Performer: Grand Master James Nyoraku Schlefer
Mannes Concert Hall, NY May 2010

Alexis Lontos was always fascinated by the captivating sounds and emotions that a shakuhachi flute can produce and he was eager to try and compose a piece for it to see how many abilities this monophonic instrument can have.

Alexis Leonidou is feeling blessed and lucky enough to have had the opportunity of having one of the best shakuhachi players - if not the best contemporary - in the world as my interpreter Grand Master James Nyoraku Schlefer! I could not thank him enough for giving Alexis this chance of becoming his voice through his sublime performance!

Since then the piece has been performed in various places in the world by different performers on both Shakuhachi or C flute.

Regardless a journey through Air for Shakuhachi Flute

I.Poco Tranquille e teneramente, Adagio
II.Agitato,Andante
III.Quasi tranquillo e piu sensible, Adagio

Composer - Alexis Lontos Leonidou
Performer - James Nyoraku Schlefer

''The journey of a note......
Outside the concept of time, in the arms of the universe, she learnt of harmony, serenity, and total balance and she decided she would start the journey of experience through time....
She passed through stars, asterisms, comets and planets, and chose to settle on earth!
She allowed the atmosphere to weigh her down,
The sun to warm her,
The north wind to cool her,
The bees to embellish her,
The flowers to clothe her with aroma,
The seas to beguile her,
The earth to powder her,
And the cry of wild beasts to overwhelm her,
After dancing the crazy dance of nature, she crept into the soul of man to rest.
He nurtured her, Hummed her, Whispered her
And then she let him name her.
He named her ''Sol''...like the soul!
And then he unleashed her onto a staff.
And she multiplied,
Became a melody,
Became a rhythm,
And re-entered his soul
And launched him into the universe....!''

Alexis Leonidou

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