Pianists Etsuko Kimura Pederson and Paul Krejci rehearse in Tohoku University Hagi Hall. Both were in Japan to hold a “Friendship Concert” between Tohoku and University Alaska Fairbanks as a celebration for the 15 anniversary of their international exchange program. They will present a “report” concert Saturday that includes the piano recital plus a quick presentation on their visit to Japan. Photo by Jeff Pederson.
It was approved, and Pederson and fellow pianist Paul Krejci traveled to Japan in May to play six of her original compositions as a sign of goodwill. The duo performed at two universities, Tohoku and Hokkaido, both of which are UAF partner schools.
For those unable to take in the Japanese performances, the duo will hold an encore “report” concert
7 p.m. Saturday in the Davis Concert Hall.
Admission is free.
The performance consists of the six original compositions performed in Japan. Kimura may also do a number as a four piece ensemble, adding a drummer and vocalist.
Following the 45-minute performance, Pederson will hold a quick slide show presentation about the trip to Japan.
Pianist Krejci said that there aren’t many composers who create two-person piano duets, mainly because it can be difficult to find two grand pianos in one place. But he said the addition of another piano increases the potential of the sound.
He noted that Pederson’s music, as with a good deal of modern piano music, is complex. There is a great amount of dissonance between the complicated rhythms and harmonics. But that doesn’t mean it’s not accessible.
“It’s an exciting, fresh sound,” he said. “It’s kind of cosmopolitan.”
Pederson said her compositions were inspired by just living her life in Alaska. But in explaining them, a more complicated, sometimes difficult, view of living in Alaska emerged.
When she came from Japan, she realized there were many things she could not find, including food items she had become accustomed to. She couldn’t, for example, find many of the Asian herbs she liked to cook with, so she substituted herbs she could find, like basil. Instead of living without, the improvisation led to new, interesting creations.
“We create something new, we create something different,” she said.
The piece “Segment of Six” celebrates that concept. She wrote the composition using only six notes. But even though the notes are limited, there are still thousands of potential musical combinations.
Another piece, “5 Worlds,” embodies five “worlds” she’s witnessed through other mediums — television, the Internet, etc. — all while living in Fairbanks. Based on a tango style, Krejci said each of Pederson’s “five worlds” has a distinct quality about it. Even though the music jumps from one style to another, it all stays tied together.
While in Japan, Krejci and Pederson both gave presentations on Alaska. Krejci, a UAF doctoral candidate in interdisciplinary studies, focusing on ethnomusicology, gave a presentation on Alaska Native music. He said it was interesting that despite the cultural differences, there are a lot of similarities.
“You think there wouldn’t be, on an indigenous level,” he said. “But there is.”
Contact features writer Suzanna Caldwell at 459-7504.
IF YOU GO
What: Etsuko Kimura Pederson’s “Report” piano concert
Where: Davis Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: Free
Information: www.uaf.edu/summer-sessions/concerts
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