Are Women People? — The Songs of Lori Laitman

My friend and composer, Lori Laitman has a new CD of her songs.

It is debuting on May 27, 2021, and you can pre-save it on Spotify.

The link is: https://show.co/ntF8TJ5

Lori is a very gifted composer whose songs knows how to touch the heart.

I was fortunate to have her write music for the koto and flute--her instrument.

I am indebted to her "Rokudan-flute", "Blossoms,""Lullaby and Dreams," and "Pearls."

You'll have to hear her genius and what she has to say in "Are Women People?"

In addition, she has her Holocaust work, Wertheim Park, set to Susan de Sola's poem. It will have its official online premiere on Jan 27th. The piece is about 10 minutes long.

Details at this link: https://www.musicofremembrance.org/show-details/wertheim-park-streaming-beginning-january-27

You will not want to miss this!

My friend, Kurahashi Yodo sensei will be performing his shakuhachi in conjunction with the art work found at the Freer Art Gallery April 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. I attach a flyer and how to listen in!

Japanese Art & Music - Smithsonian event

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Photographs

Dr. Marlene Mayo, emeritus history professor of University of Maryland, sent me an old photograph of little girls playing the koto. My initial reaction was,”Oh, how cute,” but upon close scrutiny, I found they were of the Yamada school of koto music. I could tell because of their oval plectrum. Plus, they are seated perpendicular to the koto, and they were playing on very beautiful kotos with wavy designs on the wood. Plus, the ivory bridges meant it was a special occasion. And it was. Elenor Roosevelt had visited Japan after the war and the little girls were posing for her.