Kaori Muraji Brings People Back to Classical Guitar

Classical guitarist Kaori Muraji is hailed as ``the 21st century interpreter'' of Joaquin Rodrigo. ``Music enriches our lives. Music raises me up,'' she told The Korea Times in a recent email interview. ``There are many things (that inspire my music). I'm quite curious about many things. I'm into reading, going to museums and theatres, going to nice restaurants and seeing other genre's artists… and so on. Everything inspires me!''

/ Courtesy of Credia

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

This is the fifth in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians ― ED

Apparently, you don't have to rock to be a star in Japan. One of the most popular guitarists is a soulful classical musician, Kaori Muraji. Praised for her virtuoso technique and emotional breadth, the 29-year-old has gone from being the nation's child prodigy to a full-fledged artist.

``I express what is transmitted from generation to generation. It's just simple but so precious,'' Muraji said about her role as a musician in a recent email interview with The Korea Times.

``Generally it is said that the young don't go to classical music concerts. But recently in Japan, a comic book series, `Nodame Cantabile,' which is about the classical music world, was a huge success. They say that it caused the young to go to orchestra concerts,'' she said. The TV soap version, starring heartthrob Hiroshi Tamaki, also aired in Korea, garnering a sizeable fan base.

``There are many young artists who won foreign competitions and debuted triumphantly. I think the most important thing (for young artists) is to go on performing with their original styles,'' she said.

Muraji herself, with over a dozen singles and albums continuously topping music charts, keeps concertgoers young and old music contemporary. Her pop idol looks don't hurt, either.

Born in Tokyo, she first started fiddling with the guitar at age three, following after her musician father. By 10 she was studying under Japan's celebrated guitarist Shinichi Hukuda and had swept major music competitions and recorded a hit album before her debut recital at 16.

Muraji said she debuted at young age in order to give young Japanese people more exposure to the classical guitar through her performances and CDs. ``(They) like the rock or folk guitar (but haven't really been) involved in classical music,'' she said.

For such a rather ``young'' classical instrument like the classical guitar, it seems modern musicians can play a more active role. ``The history of theclassical guitar is shorter than that of the other popular instruments, and great composers didn't have the occasion to compose for the guitar. Yet there are many possibilities to create great new guitar pieces in the future. We can make guitar history. I love the sensitive, intimate and passionate instrument. This is the guitar,'' she said.

As for describing the character of her music, she said ``I prefer to give it over to the audience, not to describe it by myself. It depends on their imagination. But, ideally I would describe it in the colors of the rainbow or iridescent colors, which are so varied in tones.''

Muraji's Colorful Music

Muraji has covered a wide range of music, from Renaissance, Baroque and Roman to modern and crossover. Yet, she pursues depth more than variety. ``I would like to understand the music more deeply rather than try new genres,'' she said. In particular, her interpretation of works by Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999) has put her on the map as one of the most promising artists of her generation.

Her 1996 album ``Pastorale'' caught the attention of Rodrigo himself, who called Muraji ``the 21st century interpreter'' of his music.

``I'm really honored by this compliment. It is more rewarding than any medal or trophy,'' she said. Muraji said she loved Rodrigo's music ``by instinct'' ever since her childhood. ``Conflicting things, like light and shade, holiness and earthiness, coexist in his music. That's why it fascinates me so much,'' she said.

She was able to meet the composer at his Madrid home in 1999. ``That was just six months before he passed away. I couldn't talk to him very fluently because he was extremely old. But I was totally satisfied with playing two pieces, sitting in front of the great composer. Since then I have felt more love for his pieces than before,'' she said.

Muraji has maintained close ties with the Rodgrio family, particularly his daughter Cecelia, and Spain. She made her Spanish debut with the Joaquin Rodrigo Chamber Orchestra for the composer's 100th anniversary in 2001. She also filmed an acclaimed music video of Rodrigo's famous ``Concierto de Aranjuez'' at Aranjuez Palace ― the first government approval to do so in Spain's history.

She has just released her latest album to pay homage to the Spanish composer, ``Viva! Rodrigo.'' It's her third album with Decca Music Group. Muraji is the first Japanese artist to sign an exclusive international contract with the prestigious label.

``I have only seen my CDs at a few CD shops in some foreign countries, so I realize that I'm not international,'' she said humbly. ``But it's really fun to see many international people outside of Japan, such as directors and artists. I want to stay in Europe longer to show my performance to more audiences.''

It looks like Muraji will continue to realize her musical globetrotting. For her concert in Korea this weekend, the all-male Ditto Chamber Orchestra will join the beautiful guitarist onstage. They will perform pieces by Rodrigo, Ottorino Respigi and Edvard Grieg at 2:30 p.m., Sunday at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. Tickets cost 30,000-80,000 won. Call 1577-5266.

She will continue playing her classic repertoire with the Vietnamese Orchestra in Hanoi in April. In the summer, she plans to participate in Spain's Zaragoza Expo and take up a new recording project with the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig.

``I'd like to go on upgrading my technique and keep friends who are passionate about music. I will be happy to feel the pleasure of playing music in my life,'' she said.

``I've played with (New York-based jazz guitarist) Jack Lee in Korea and with (soprano) Im Sunhae in Tokyo. (Pianist) Lee Kyoung-mi is a very good friend of mine. There are very talented Korean musicians and artists, so I hope to collaborate with them one day,'' she said.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr