THE Ishida Group

Contents

1. Purple Flame (Deep Purple) 2. Caesars: Palace Blues (U.K.) 3. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) 4. Tangedia III (Astr Piazzolla) 5. The Magnificent Seven (Elmer Bernstein)

Ancient Dances and Arias for Lute - Suite No. 3 (Ottorino Respighi) 6. No. 1 Italiana 7. No. 2 Court Aria 8. No. 3 Siciliana 9. No. 4 Passacaglia

The Debut of the Hard-Working String Ensemble Ishida Gumi! Heart-Shaking Sensuality and Impact The long-awaited debut album of the string ensemble Ishida Gumi, formed in 2014 at the invitation of violinist Yasunao Ishida. The Ishida-Gumi is an all-male group, primarily comprised of leading orchestra members trusted by "Boss Ishida." Their repertoire ranges from Baroque music to film soundtracks to progressive rock. Their passionate, unique performance style, which weaves together individual styles, has garnered attention from across the board as a pioneer of new horizons for string ensembles. Their debut album, "THE Ishida-Gumi," showcases Ishida-Gumi's distinctive rock repertoire.

Recorded: October 22, 2016, Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, Main Hall (live recording) DSD recording, SACD hybrid disc (compatible with standard CD players).

Ishida-Gumi, the lethal weapon of beautiful sound. While dividing music by gender may seem anachronistic these days, the difference in impact an all-male group and an all-female group have on the listener is undeniable. The charm and uniqueness of the Ishida Group lies in its all-male nature. As the term "hard-core string ensemble" suggests, "hard-core" is a term typically reserved for men. Since the age of 22, Yasunao Ishida has served as orchestra concertmaster, while also engaging in genre-bending activities such as recital series, string quartets, and bands. It's the musical legacy he has steadily built up that has culminated in the Ishida Group. While the common refrain in praising Ishida is, "He may look tough, but his sound is filled with love and kindness," I don't believe his ethereal sound stems from any emotional connection, such as a love for music or tenderness. It stems from a more instinctive mission, like a conditioned reflex to "produce the absolute most beautiful sound" with his violin. That's why his sound never wavers, no matter what. It is incredibly difficult, both mentally and physically, for a performer to maintain one's own aesthetic and cutting-edge style for so many years. Even if we can do this in our youth, as we age, we become more mellow and gentler. This is because we cannot bear the loneliness. However, Yasunao Ishida remains a solitary presence, preserving his weapon of beautiful sound.

Umiko Arai (Excerpt from liner notes)

Media reviews and more

This is the debut album of Ishida-Gumi, a string ensemble formed in 2014 at the invitation of violinist Yasunao Ishida. The orchestra members, all of whom are top-tier performers and trusted by "Boss Ishida," are all male. Their diverse repertoire, ranging from Baroque to film music to progressive rock, opens up a new world of musical expression through their passionate performances, clashing styles. This debut album focuses on rock repertoire, which best showcases Ishida-Gumi's unique style. (C)RS