Kimiko Ishizaka, New Me! Review

Kimiko Ishizaka is a German/Japanese classical composer and pianist. Ishizaka’s studies began at the age of four, with her mother, followed by conservatory studies with Professor Roswitha Gediga-Glombitza at the Hochschule für Musik Köln. Further instruction came from Prof. Peter Feuchtwanger, Prof. Karl-Heinz Kämmerling, the Alban Berg Quartet, and the Amadeus Quartet. Ishizaka distinguished herself as a soloist and chamber performer from the age of five, especially in the context of the Ishizaka Trio, which consisted of her and her younger brothers (violin, cello). In its sixteen-year history, the Ishizaka Trio was widely recognized and praised. In 2000, Ishizaka switched from chamber performances to being an active soloist, performing concerti from Mozart, Beethoven, Grieg, and Gershwin, and establishing herself as an interpreter of Bach and Chopin. In 2012, Ishizaka released the Goldberg Variations, which was a project that was financed by her fans using the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.com. Ishizaka’s recording J.S. Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 was released in March of 2015 on PARMA Recordings “Navona” label. Ishizaka’s album, J.S. Bach: The Art of the Fugue (Kunst der Fuge), BWV 1080, was released in 2017 on the Ogv label and was funded on Kickstarter. Now Ishizaka is releasing New Me! The solo piano album consists of ten original compositions by Ishizaka that uses classical forms with harmonic and melodic developments that are based in both the classical and jazz traditions.

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Beautiful Bridge

In the past, between our hearts
there used to be a bridge.
Sadness could not last
because no broken heart stayed alone.

Oh, beautiful bridge, you seemed so strong,
how did we miss where things went wrong?
Now I’m looking straight into your eyes,
and my arms are reaching for your face.
My darling love, I can just not get to your side.

In the past, between our hearts
there used to be a bridge.
No distress could last
because our love took it away.

Please find me again across this bridge!

There is no chance I could explain
how much in vain my life would be,
if the way across the bridge
were forever closed.

Please, sweetest love, send back your heart
across this bridge.