Album Notes

CD Reviews

My Best Original Compositions
Yuko Ohigashi
2002 /
47:32
Reviewed by Kathy Parsons (Solo Piano Publications)

15-year-old Yuko Ohigashi has released an astonishing eight solo piano CDs since 2001. Three of those releases are original compositions, and this one is a "best of" collection from those three albums. Currently studying music at The Interlochen Academy in Michigan, Yuko is definitely an emerging artist to watch. She has an elegant, expressive style that belies her young years. Growing up in Japan, Yuko listened for hours on end to her mother's American pop records and watched American movies. Those influences are very apparent in Yuko's music, but she is on her way to finding her own unique voice. Her goal is to compose for film, television, and commercials, and her accessible style and passionate playing are sure to reach a worldwide audience with time. As a teacher, I've worked with some really talented kids, but none come anywhere near Yuko's maturity and grace at this young age. In the liner notes, Yuko says that she is often not able to describe her feelings in words, and uses music instead. This is also very apparent in the music. Many of the pieces have an "old-fashioned" feeling to them that most likely comes from listening to standards from the 30's and 40's as well as movie themes. Still, her playing ability and the various emotions she conveys are startling in their complexity and charm. Of the seventeen tracks, the last two are my favorites. "Fantasy" is a minor key waltz with a haunting melody and a wonderful rhythmic flow. It has Russian classical influences, but is very contemporary and fun to listen to. "Mysterious" was composed when Yuko was 13. It begins with a charming little music box melody (played on keyboard); then the piano enters playing a variation on the melody. The music box finishes the piece with a sense of questioning and searching. I really love this little piece! "Emptiness" is a beautifully realized piece of musical melancholia - so sad and so touching. "Flying Through the Clouds" is a lovely, light and sunny daydream - absolutely free of the cares of some of the other pieces. I also really like "For Mama," an emotional love song that I'm sure would melt most "mama's" into a big puddle! I'm really excited about Yuko's music, and am looking forward to watching her develop artistically and professionally. Highly recommended!