Bukimisha, that weird and mysterious group from Japan, has once more assembled a symphonic orchestra to record rare works created by the legendary composer AKIRA IFUKUBE that were once thought lost.
In 1950, Maestro Ifukube was engaged to score an ambitious 2-film Japanese adaption of the classic novel LES MISERABLES. Unfortunately, the studio collapsed soon after release and the original films faded into obscurity. Utilizing the original score sheets from the composer’s own archives, Takeo Yahiro was able to mount a brand new recording of twelve tracks primarily composed for the first chapter, GODS AND DEMONS.
In 1961, Daiei Studios mounted a lavish epic tale about the founding of Buddhism in India, shot in 70mm with hundreds of extras on spectacular sets. Ifukube wrote an extensive score that was performed by the Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra. Unfortunately, the master tapes are believed lost. On this album, nine early sketches of melodic material have been recovered and recorded from the original manuscripts. A planned but abandoned overture for the film entitled “Preludio” has been included.
Two additional “curiosities” for giant monster fans are also included, an unrecorded alternate cue for KING KONG VS. GODZILLA and the main title for the 1948 comedy THE PRESIDENT AND THE SHOPGIRL, which is a bouncy early version of what would become known as the GODZILLA theme.
These scores were discovered amongst the Maestro’s personal archives by his family after he had passed. Unwilling to let these rare works languish in obscurity, Takeo Yahiro and Bukimisha opted to once again assemble an orchestra as required by the scores to immortalize these unique finds. This release marks the first time the recording has ever been available for sale outside of Japan until now.
Bukimisha, a self-proclaimed ‘secret society’ (whose name, pronounced “Boo-key-may-sha,” and roughly translates into “Creepy Company”) has enthralled Japanese audiences over several decades. They have transformed their love of music into a unique art form, building an impressive catalog exceeding 170 albums. Many of them feature selections from Akira Ifukube’s vast output of classical compositions and complete film scores. Bukimisha was even given the opportunity to perform before the legendary composer at one of his final birthday celebrations.
Dragon’s Domain is proud to offer this remarkable performance, mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland from the original digital recordings, all supervised and approved by conductor Takeo Yahiro. Exclusive liner notes by scholar Erik Homenick (akiraifukube.org) detail the mysterious history of this wonderful “lost” material, as well as Akira Ifukube’s life and career.
This CD set is a limited run of 500 units. 2023/12/4の週発売
不気味社、オーケストラへ ... 再び。『 レ・ミゼラブル あゝ無情』と『釈迦』、それに伊福部昭のレアな楽曲を収録。
トラックリスト日本発の奇妙でミステリアスなグループ、不気味社が、伝説の作曲家、伊福部昭の失われたと思われていた貴重な作品を録音するために、再びシンフォニック・オーケストラを結成した。
1950年、マエストロ伊福部は、古典小説『レ・ミゼラブル』の日本版2部作という野心的な作品の音楽を担当することになった。残念なことに、スタジオは公開後すぐに倒産し、オリジナル映画は無名のまま消えてしまった。八尋健生は、作曲家自身のアーカイヴからオリジナルの楽譜を入手し、主に第1章「神と悪魔」のために作曲された12曲を新録音することができた。
1961年、大映撮影所は、インドにおける仏教の創始を描いた豪華絢爛な叙事詩を70ミリフィルムで撮影し、壮大なセットで何百人ものエキストラを動員した。伊福部は、東京交響楽団によって演奏された大規模なスコアを書いた。残念ながら、マスターテープは紛失したとされている。このアルバムでは、オリジナルの原稿から9つのメロディーの初期スケッチが復元され、録音されている。「プレリュディオ」と題された、計画されながら断念された映画用序曲も収録されている。
さらに、巨大怪獣ファンのための“珍品”2曲も収録されている。『キングコング対ゴジラ』の未録音の代替キューと、1948年のコメディ映画『社長と女店員』のメインタイトルで、後に『ゴジラ』のテーマとして知られるようになる、弾むような初期バージョンである。
これらの楽譜は、マエストロの個人的なアーカイブから発見された。
自称 "秘密結社 "である不気味社（その名は "ブキミシャ "と発音し、大雑把に訳すと "不気味な会社"）は、数十年にわたって日本の聴衆を魅了してきた。彼らは音楽への愛をユニークなアートフォームに変え、170枚を超える印象的なアルバムカタログを作り上げた。その多くは、伊福部昭の膨大なクラシック作品や映画音楽全集からの選曲である。不気味社は、伊福部昭の最後の誕生日のお祝いの席で、彼の前で演奏する機会さえ与えられた。
指揮者八尋健生の監修と承認を得て、オリジナル・デジタル・レコーディングからデジタル・アウトランドのジェームス・ネルソンによってマスタリング。研究者エリック・ホメニック（akiraifukube.org）による独占ライナーノーツでは、この素晴らしい“失われた”音源のミステリアスな歴史、そして伊福部昭の人生とキャリアについて詳述している。500枚限定盤。
Bukimisha Goes Orchestral . . . AGAIN!
Bukimisha, that weird and mysterious group from Japan, has once more assembled a symphonic orchestra to record rare works created by the legendary composer AKIRA IFUKUBE that were once thought lost.
In 1950, Maestro Ifukube was engaged to score an ambitious 2-film Japanese adaption of the classic novel LES MISERABLES. Unfortunately, the studio collapsed soon after release and the original films faded into obscurity. Utilizing the original score sheets from the composer’s own archives, Takeo Yahiro was able to mount a brand new recording of twelve tracks primarily composed for the first chapter, GODS AND DEMONS.
In 1961, Daiei Studios mounted a lavish epic tale about the founding of Buddhism in India, shot in 70mm with hundreds of extras on spectacular sets. Ifukube wrote an extensive score that was performed by the Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra. Unfortunately, the master tapes are believed lost. On this album, nine early sketches of melodic material have been recovered and recorded from the original manuscripts. A planned but abandoned overture for the film entitled “Preludio” has been included.
Two additional “curiosities” for giant monster fans are also included, an unrecorded alternate cue for KING KONG VS. GODZILLA and the main title for the 1948 comedy THE PRESIDENT AND THE SHOPGIRL, which is a bouncy early version of what would become known as the GODZILLA theme.
These scores were discovered amongst the Maestro’s personal archives by his family after he had passed. Unwilling to let these rare works languish in obscurity, Takeo Yahiro and Bukimisha opted to once again assemble an orchestra as required by the scores to immortalize these unique finds. This release marks the first time the recording has ever been available for sale outside of Japan until now.
Bukimisha, a self-proclaimed ‘secret society’ (whose name, pronounced “Boo-key-may-sha,” and roughly translates into “Creepy Company”) has enthralled Japanese audiences over several decades. They have transformed their love of music into a unique art form, building an impressive catalog exceeding 170 albums. Many of them feature selections from Akira Ifukube’s vast output of classical compositions and complete film scores. Bukimisha was even given the opportunity to perform before the legendary composer at one of his final birthday celebrations.
Dragon’s Domain is proud to offer this remarkable performance, mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland from the original digital recordings, all supervised and approved by conductor Takeo Yahiro. Exclusive liner notes by scholar Erik Homenick (akiraifukube.org) detail the mysterious history of this wonderful “lost” material, as well as Akira Ifukube’s life and career.
This CD set is a limited run of 500 units.
2023/12/4の週発売
1. THE PRESIDENT AND THE SHOPGIRL (1948)
Main Title (Bulto) (1:38)
2. KING KONG VS. GODZILLA (1962)
Flying Kong (Unrecorded) (0:41)
LES MISERABLES: GODS AND DEMONS (1950)
3. No. 1 (1:48)
4. No. 3 (2:27)
5. No. 4 (3:38)
6. No. 5 (1:34)
7. No. 10 (0:42)
8. No. 11 (0:24)
9. No. 13 (3:03)
10. No. 16 (2:11)
11. No. 17 (4:41)
12. No. 20 (1:11)
13. No. 6 Hymn no. 405 (God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again) (2:10)
14. No. 12 Hymn no. 405 (God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again) (0:33)
BUDDHA (1961)
15. Preludio (3:43)
16. No. 26 (2:53)
17. No. 27 Devadattha (1:52)
18. No. 28 Joobon - Devadattha (1:52)
19. No. 29 Return of Buddha (2:58)
20. No. 33 (2:45)
21. No. 34 (2:53)
22. P.S. No. 1 Song of Martanga (1:55)
23. P.S. No. 4 Song of Kunara (2:09)
24. THE PRESIDENT AND THE SHOPGIRL (1948)
Bulto (Extra Take) (1:24)
Total Time: 52:11
All tracks are listed as they appear on the composer’s original scores. Additional information not available.