#Japan #Tokyo #Experimental Music #Reiko Tsuki #Ricercare Project

Discovering the Essence of Solo Performance

On September 20, 2026, the renowned traverso and flute player, Reiko Tsuki, will present an experimental recital titled “Ricercare Project #02: Galette de riz (avant cuisson)” at Ryogoku Koutenkai Hall in Sumida, Tokyo. This concert will focus on the world premiere of a commissioned work by composer Kazutomo Yamamoto and will explore approximately 400 years of unaccompanied flute pieces from the Renaissance to the modern era in a way that transcends traditional historical frameworks.

Tsuki has long been active in the Netherlands with a concentrated approach that emphasizes Historically Informed Performance, particularly focusing on the repertories from the Renaissance to the Baroque period. This method highlights specific historical interpretations and instrument selections, forming the foundation of her musical journey. However, in recent years, she has approached her work with a critical eye, questioning the very frameworks that underpin notions of “historical accuracy” and the construction of meaningful programs. As an experiment in performance, she initiated the “Ricercare Project” series in 2025, distancing herself from stylistic and narrative constraints to rethink the act of performing itself.

The title of the concert, “Galette de riz (avant cuisson),” draws from Yamamoto’s new piece titled “Mochi (Before Cooking) for Traverso Solo.” The title metaphorically represents an open state of possibilities, symbolizing the questions posed by the concert regarding the nature of solo performance and the extent to which music is built upon imagination.

An Engaging Program of Unaccompanied Works

At the heart of the concert lies the world premiere of a new work by Kazutomo Yamamoto, a composer known for his innovative integration of everyday sounds and social situations into his musical structures, consistently interrogating the relationships between music, society, and environment. The piece “Mochi (Before Cooking)” contextualizes the traverso, an ancient instrument, as a bridge between Western formal instruments and ethnic instruments, prompting a fundamental re-examination of the solo format itself.

Additionally, the program will feature a revival of “Contraptions for Traverso” by Takuto Fukuda, which was presented in 2023. Choosing to re-perform contemporary works acknowledges the scarcity of opportunities for such compositions after their premieres, with the aim of establishing them in the modern traverso repertoire.

Other pieces included span approximately 400 years, featuring unaccompanied works such as Georg Philipp Telemann’s “12 Fantasias for Unaccompanied Flute,” Jacob van Eyck’s “The English Nightingale,” Claude Debussy’s “Syrinx,” and Francisco José Vásquez’s “A Landscape with Birds.” This curated selection intertwines Renaissance to modern unaccompanied flute works, employing a diverse range of instruments—Renaissance flute and traverso made by Giovanni Tardivo, along with a modern flute crafted by Muramatsu. The concert purposefully juxtaposes the composition dates with varying instrument timelines, initiating a reflection on the relationship between pieces and the instruments used for their performance.

During or after the performance, Reiko Tsuki will offer insights into the program's structure and the differences between the instruments being used, aiming to engage the audience in contemplating the premises of “unaccompanied” and “solo.”

Event Details

• - Title: Reiko Tsuki Ricercare Project #02 “Galette de riz (avant cuisson)”
• - Date: September 20, 2026 (Sunday), 14:00 Start (Doors open at 13:30)
• - Venue: Ryogoku Koutenkai Hall, Sumida, Tokyo
• - Performer: Reiko Tsuki (Traverso/Flute)

Program consists of:

• - Kazutomo Yamamoto: “Mochi (Before Cooking) for Traverso Solo” (2025) [World Premiere]
• - Takuto Fukuda: “Contraptions for Traverso” (2023)
• - G. Ph. Telemann: “12 Fantasias for Unaccompanied Flute”
• - J. van Eyck: “The English Nightingale”
• - C. Debussy: “Syrinx”
• - P. Vásquez: “A Landscape with Birds” and others.

Tickets: General Admission: 3,500 yen / Student (under 25): 2,000 yen - Tickets at the door: General 4,000 yen / Student 2,500 yen.

Booking Format: Prior reservation is required, with all seats being free and payment made on the day. Reservations can be made through the concert's special site.

Capacity: 50 Guests
Organized by: Shirobara Artisan Inc.
Supported by: Arts Council Tokyo
Special Site: Ricercare Project Event

Performer Profile: Reiko Tsuki

Reiko Tsuki graduated from the Toho Gakuen School of Music and furthered her studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, Netherlands. She has participated in projects with renowned ensembles and tours internationally, continually pushing the boundaries of her musical endeavors.

Emphasizing her explorative approach to music through both performances and innovative projects, Tsuki aims to bridge traditional and contemporary expressions through her artistry. For this recital, she invites audiences to join her in revisiting the essence of solo performance, challenging ingrained notions and embracing experimentation.