These are stories of love - in its many forms - from Japan, enhanced by the enchanting sounds of the Japanese koto, played with passion and sensitivity by Elizabeth Falconer.

5 MP3 Songs
WORLD: Asian, KIDS/FAMILY: Children's Storytelling



Details:
Three tales from Japan accompanied with original koto music and told by award-winning storyteller Elizabeth Falconer, a storyteller with "a feather light touch." The 13-string koto is used for musical interludes between each story as well as for all the sound effects in the stories. This is Volume III of Elizabeth's Musical Adventures, and differs from her past offerings in that it is for a more sophisticated audience. Recommnended for ages 10 and up.

Review from May/June 2002 issue of NAPRA ReView:

Japanese storytellers have provided some of the most magical and haunting stories in the international repertoire of modern tellers. Falconer is at the top of her form in her latest presentation, a collection of traditional Japanese tales ideal for family listening. Her vocal cadences ar both soothing and intense, ideal for self-accompaniment on the koto, with which she provides perfect sound effects as well as songs and a breathtaking koto solo at the album's conclusion. To the best of my knowledge, no other American storyteller tells the bewitching story of the magical crane who transforms herself into the devoted daughter of a poor old couple with more conviction and pathos than she. Falconer's adaptation is unique in that she relates the story in the first person -- from the crane's point of view, a perspective that could stimulate interesting conversations. Falconer, who has studied music and storytelling in Japan, counts the multi-awarded Plum Boy! and Other Tales from Japan among her recent successes. Truly, her albums are worth collecting.
-Antoinette Botsford