Composer

略歴English

James Nyoraku Schlefer holds advanced degrees, and has years of performing experience, in two musical traditions. His original compositions bring these worlds together. Of particular interest to Schlefer is combining Japanese and Western instruments in new compositions that explore two sound worlds in a way that is exciting but not derivative, beautiful yet deeply respectful of both classic traditions.

James has received commissions and grants from: Dancing in the Streets, with the support of the Mary Flagler Cary Trust Live Music for Dance Program, SONOS Chamber Orchestra, the Satori Chamber Ensemble, PEARSONWIDRIG DANCETHEATER, with the support of the O’Donnell Green Foundation and the AMC Live Music for Dance Program, and the Orchestra of the Swan (UK.)

修士号獲得後、ジェームス如楽シュレファー氏は、二つの音楽伝統の下、長年演奏活動を続けると同時に、独創的な作曲活動を続け、氏の音楽はこの二つの音楽世界を縦糸と横糸に、一つの織物に織り上げようとするものです。氏が特に関心を持って取り組んでいることは、この二つの全く違った「音（ね）」の世界を探求し、新しい曲の中で邦楽と洋楽の楽器を駆使していくことです。氏が創造し繰り広げる音楽は刺激的でありながら、ただの二つの異なる音楽伝統の寄せ集めではなく、律動的および抒情的で、両音楽世界に深い敬意を表したものになっています。

シュレファー氏は、虚心庵アーツ及び、マリー・フレグラー・クレイ・トラスト・ライブ・ミュージックの援助の下、ダンシング・イン・ザ・ストリートから、オドネル・グリーン・ファウンデーションの援助の下、ピアソン・ウィドリッグ・ダンス・シアターから、そしてソノス・チェンバー・オーケストラやサトリ・チェンバー・アンサンブル等数々の団体から音楽活動における助成金及び作曲委託を受けてきました。

List of Works

Please contact for purchase or rental information. Many scores are available at www.shakuhachi.com.

Concertante for Shakuhachi, Koto, Violin and Cello with Chamber Orchestra. (2013) Three movements. 22 minutes. Premiere on 31 May, 2013, Stratford, UK.
Moonwalking for Shakuhachi and 20-string Koto. (2012) Three movements. 12 minutes.
String Journey for Shamisen and String Quartet. (2012) One movement. 12 minutes.
Zen and Sushi for Treble or SATB choir. (2012) 2 movements. Words by Thich Nhat Hanh. 6 minutes.
A Smile on the Buddha Calm For Shakuhachi, Violin, Cello and Piano (2011)
One Movement, 9 minutes. Score and Parts in Western notation
Oashisu for Shakuhachi, Koto, Cello and Percussion. Written for Pearson/Widrig Dance Theater (2010) Ten short movements. 25 minutes. Audio clip is Oashisu Suite.
Take Rei for Shakuhachi and Crotales. (2011)
One movement. 12 minutes.
Sankyoku No. 1 For Shakuhachi, Koto and Cello (2010)
Three movements, 18 minutes. Score and Parts in Western notation

1st Movement: In a Brown Study

2nd Movement: Intergroove

3rd Movement: Rondo-Tegoto

Concerto for Shakuhachi, Strings, Harp and Percussion (2009)

Three movements, 28 minutes. Score and Parts in Western notation

Watch the Concerto on YouTube.

Duo No. 3 For Shakuhachi and 20-String Koto (2007)

One movement, 13 minutes. Score and Parts in Western notation

Quintet for Shakuhachi and String Quartet (2006)

Three movements, 25 minutes. Score and Parts in Western notation.

First Movement

Second Movement

Third Movement

Duo No. 2 for Shakuhachi and Shamisen (2006)

One movement, 10 minutes, Score and Parts in Western notation

Ten Original Shakuhachi Duets for Two Shakuhachi (2005)
Western and Kinko notation. (Available exclusively at shakuhachi.com)
Kumoijishi for Four Shakuhachi (2005)
Arrangement of traditional honkyoku in four-part harmony. Six minutes. Kinko Notation
Duo No. I for shakuhachi and Koto (2004)

One movement, 13 minutes. Score in Western notation

Big Piece for Shakuhachi Orchestra in Five Parts (2004)
One movement, 12 minutes. Score in Western notation, and parts in Western and Kinko notation
Flare Up for solo Shakuhachi (2002)

One Movement, 8 minutes. Score in Western notation. Recorded on Flare Up.

Shakuhachi Workbook Exercises for Technical Development (2000)
90 page book of scales, long tones, intervals and other etudes.
Available exclusively at shakuhachi.com.
Couple Dance for Two Shakuhachi (1999; commissioned by Mary Flagler Cary Trust)

13 minutes. Score in Western notation

Brooklyn Sanya for solo Shakuhachi (1999)

One movement, 9 minutes. Score in Kinko notation. Recorded on Flare Up.

Darani Revisited for shakuhachi, violin, viola, cello (1998)
Arrangement of traditional honkyoku piece. One movement, 8 minutes. Score and parts in Western notation
Variations on “Amazing Grace” for solo Shakuhachi (1997)
Kinko notation. Recorded on Solstice Spirit.
Solstice Spirit for Shakuhachi Orchestra in Four Parts (1997)
18 minutes. Score in Western notation, parts in Kinko notation. Recorded on Solstice Spirit.