Squidco: Akiyama, Tetuzi / Takuji Kawai: Transition

Transition

Eight duo improvisations on acoustic guitar and piano, with pianist Kawai preparing the piano with bolts, threads, &c. and Akiyama switching between prepared and slide guitar.

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Product Information:

Personnel:

Tetuzi Akiyama-acoustic guitar

Takuji Kawai-piano with preparations

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Numbered limited edition of 450

Label: Ftarri
Catalog ID: ftarri-997
Squidco Product Code: 15070

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2011
Country: Japan
Packaging: Cardstock Sleeve
Recorded at GOK Sound, Tokyo on September 14th, 2009 by Buntaro Shibuya.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"This CD consists of eight duo improvisations on acoustic guitar and piano, studio-recorded in September 2009. Kawai uses preparations like bolts and thread on most of the tracks, while Akiyama uses a prepared guitar on one track and a slide guitar on another. The two acoustic instruments sometimes clash, sometimes sympathize, without ever losing the overall tension and control.

Tetuzi Akiyama, an improviser who plays both acoustic and electric guitar, performs in Japan and other countries, including on yearly overseas tours. Takuji Kawai, born in 1963, studied classical piano as a child and received a master's degree from the graduate school of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He started improvising in the mid-1980s, and in addition to improvised music he currently performs works by contemporary composers like John Cage, Morton Feldman, Giacinto Scelsi, and Yuji Takahashi. An outstanding talent, Kawai is a composer as well as a pianist."-Ftarri

Numbered limited edition of 450

This album has been reviewed on our magazine:

The Squid's Ear!

Artist Biographies

• Show Bio for Tetuzi Akiyama

"Tetuzi Akiyama (Akiyama Tetsuji) (born 13 April 1964) is a Japanese guitarist, violinist, and instrument-maker. Akiyama formed the improvisation group Madhar in 1987, and the classical ensemble Hikyo String Quintet in 1994 (which also included Taku Sugimoto on cello). In 1995, Akiyama and Sugimoto formed a guitar duo, and played at venues in New York City, Chicago, and Detroit. During this time, Akiyama was also a member of Keiji Haino's Nijiumu outfit. Akiyama also formed Sutekina Tea Time (a duo with Takashi Matsuoka) and Mongoose (a trio with Taku Sugimoto and Utah Kawasaki).

In 1998 Akiyama began organising a monthly concert series, The Improvisation Meeting, with Toshimaru Nakamura. In December 2006 he began a regular duo with Hervé Boghossian (France), they toured in Europe (France, Portugal, Switzerland, England) several times in 2007 (in May, October & December) & also played in Tokyo during Hervé Boghossian Japanese tour in August/September 2008. In 2009 he worked with David Sylvian."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetuzi_Akiyama)
2/6/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

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Track Listing:

1. Continuation 4:05

2. Superposition 3:16

3. Confrontation 2:53

4. Variation 10:51

5. Transmission 4:43

6. Realization 8:23

7. Penetration 7:48

8. Intervention 3:19

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