San Jose Taiko by Elisa

I really didn’t enjoy this performance as much as I thought I would. The performers performed quite decently, but it wasn’t as exciting as I was intending it to be. I would have rather seen a play or theatrical performance, if I had a choice. But in the end, it also was enjoyable.

I was impressed with the unity and how well the group stayed together. It was very impressive how precise and even they were…even with a group that large. The verbal commands made it more interesting and the contrast in dynamics and styles made it entertaining. The different rhythms incorporated into their performance were amazing. I was really impressed by how they had the ability to stay together.

I was also impressed by how they used different songs from other countries…like Cuba. I enjoyed the contrast between the strictly Japanese and then the Cuban piece. I was also impressed at how many different sounds they could make by just using one drum. The sound differed if they hit the drum on the center or on the edge. Also, the way they used the cymbals, flute, and gong fascinated me.

What I didn’t like about it was that some of the musical selections sounded very similar to each other. And, in general, I enjoy theatrical performances more than musical performances. Although, I do enjoy both to some extent.

All in all, I did enjoy the drumming performance. The technique was fascinating and the way their costumes added color and perspective to their performance made it even more interesting. All in all, it was an excellent experience.