San Jose Taiko by Aimee
San Jose Taiko is an audio explosion that cannot be expressed in a short essay. This show is an intense, high energy, mind-blowing assortment of percussion rhythms and beats that come from Japanese history. The audience is immediately pulled into the show by a unique focus on one large drum. From that point on it is a whirlwind of emotion and excitement brought on by the several performers and their fierce concentration.
Going into the performance, one might think that there are only so many ways you can hit a drum and that it would get boring after a few songs, but San Jose Taiko is far from boring. They manage to create numerous different sounds using only a few different types of drums and I was continually surprised by the new tones emerging from the same instruments.
Not only does this show have unique qualities in terms of audio, but the energy and emotion portrayed is remarkable. With no speaking or singing, the focus is completely on the sounds made by the drums and the choreography of the performers together. The emotion is raw and you can tell by their facial expressions that they thoroughly enjoy what they are doing. The performers are having fun and portray an unbreakable bond of unity through their synchronization and similar passions. Upon reflection, it is mind-boggling how much passion is portrayed just through the deep tones of the drums and the expressions of the performers.
One of the most amazing aspects of this show is the harmony of the players on the stage. They are completely synchronized in where they hit the drum, how hard they hit it, which hand they use, how high they lift their hand, and any other aspect of percussion. I cannot even imagine how difficult it would be to train every performer to be in perfect time with the rest of the group. Although it was mentioned that it takes about two years to train each performer, it would take longer still to get them perfectly attuned with everyone else in the group. To participate in this show it must take immeasurable endurance and strength.
Overall, San Jose Taiko is a rare spectacle. The performance is electric with human passion and musical skill. This show is like nothing I have ever seen, uniquely telling stories of Japanese history while still ringing true and relating to modern audiences.
Going into the performance, one might think that there are only so many ways you can hit a drum and that it would get boring after a few songs, but San Jose Taiko is far from boring. They manage to create numerous different sounds using only a few different types of drums and I was continually surprised by the new tones emerging from the same instruments.
Not only does this show have unique qualities in terms of audio, but the energy and emotion portrayed is remarkable. With no speaking or singing, the focus is completely on the sounds made by the drums and the choreography of the performers together. The emotion is raw and you can tell by their facial expressions that they thoroughly enjoy what they are doing. The performers are having fun and portray an unbreakable bond of unity through their synchronization and similar passions. Upon reflection, it is mind-boggling how much passion is portrayed just through the deep tones of the drums and the expressions of the performers.
One of the most amazing aspects of this show is the harmony of the players on the stage. They are completely synchronized in where they hit the drum, how hard they hit it, which hand they use, how high they lift their hand, and any other aspect of percussion. I cannot even imagine how difficult it would be to train every performer to be in perfect time with the rest of the group. Although it was mentioned that it takes about two years to train each performer, it would take longer still to get them perfectly attuned with everyone else in the group. To participate in this show it must take immeasurable endurance and strength.
Overall, San Jose Taiko is a rare spectacle. The performance is electric with human passion and musical skill. This show is like nothing I have ever seen, uniquely telling stories of Japanese history while still ringing true and relating to modern audiences.
posted by ISC On Stage @ 11:00 AM
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