For Zero from (Cycles) (ICR007) by Kojiro Umezaki

What seems most central to this piece is that it follows a process of accumulation and its subsequent reversal. The opening descending dyads followed by a repeating bass line over which the melody eventually enters all feed into an electronically sustained accumulation of sound. Then, a pivot. The process reverses in a slightly different context, each new note subtracting itself from the amassed sonic material until none remains. Alongside working on this piece was reading Charles Seife's captivating Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea in which embracing zero as its own entity and as an equal partner to infinity was among many other intriguing and thought-provoking ideas guiding reflections while developing and writing this work.

Noted by The New York Times as a “virtuosic, deeply expressive shakuhachi player and composer,” Kojiro Umezaki performs regularly with the Grammy-nominated Silk Road Ensemble. Umezaki grew up in Tokyo and is a performer of the shakuhachi, a composer of electro-acoustic works, and a technologist with interests in integrating global musical practices with electronics. His latest album is (Cycles).

kojiroumezaki.com