Radiant strings old and new

This morning, I had to make a visit to the cemetery. That sort of experience is quite draining, I find, and it is a stark reminder of the time that has passed and the people that have gone ahead of me.

Often I find myself having to do something to erase the memory of it as soon as possible. In this case, I attended the tsugaru shamisen duo concert of Yutaka Oyama and Masahiro Nitta at the Abrons Art Center in the Lower East Side.  Having seen only a short video of them yesterday for the first time, I was more than happy to experience their wonderful music in person.  Their youth, combined with their vigor of playing and sensibility, radiated throughout the performance, in which I found myself quite enthralled.

A moment of silence was held for the earthquake victims, when the entire space was darkened.  Despite feeling a tremendous sadness, hearing the music of these two beforehand and afterwards assured me that there is indeed a beauty in Japan that will emerge if not unscathed but ultimately glorious and victorious.

Oyama Nitta Duo Live.