45 Min.

Das Ensemble Maidaiko Aska-Gumi unter der Leitung des Meisters Diagoro Aska wurde 1990 gegründet und hat seither bei über 100 Auftritten jährlich den ganzen Erdball umrundet und alle großen Festivals bespielt. Die Auftritte sind immer auch ein optischer Genuss, und so ist es erfreulich, jetzt eine DVD dieser großartigen Show ansehen zu können.

Wadaiko An artistic performance with the wadaiko (Japanese drums) is always amazing in its diversity. Like any form of expression, whether artistic or sportive, balance is of particular importance; if this element is lacking, the performance cannot achieve excellence. Fluidity and strength, grace and power, colour and movement, written forms and improvisations combine wonderfully to depict the Japanese spirit. Maidaiko Aska-Gumi Founded in 1990, the ensemble gives over a hundred performances a year, in many parts of the world. It recently took part, performing the dance composition, in the remake of Akira Kurosawa’s film The Hidden Fortress, due to be released soon. In 2007 it spent a month at the Edinburgh Festival, performing on the Fringe to a very warm and enthusiastic response. Since its language is universal, its performances appeal to audiences of all ages. A moment of excitement. A moment of grace. Diagoro Aska Director of Maidaiko Aska-Gumi, Diagoro Aska entered the world of Japanese dance at the age of sixteen, studying under Mineo Asuka, master of the Asuka school, where he spent twelve years as a resident apprentice before becoming independent. In 1974 he turned his hand to the taiko drum and in 1990 he formed the drum troupe Maidaiko Aska-Gumi, which has since given many stage performances in Japan and overseas. 1983 Kansai Art Festival Prize 1984 International Journalists’ Prize 1988 Performance at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Seoul 1991 Five Continents Music Festival, Toulouse, France 1992 International Music Festival, Istanbul, Turkey 1993 Release of CD album ‘Tobu’ Diagoro Aska has also coached wadaiko groups throughout Japan; these now total sixty-two, with more than one thousand six hundred members.