Waka and Other Compositions: Contemporary Music of Japan

This 1960 release is a selection of compositions by Japanese experimental composer Michiko Toyama. The 12 compositions are drawn from traditional Japanese musical forms with additional influence from many of the experimental composers in the West that were active during the twentieth century. Some pieces are sung with instrumental accompaniment; others are spoken poetry. The instrumentation consists of a mix of traditional Japanese and modern Western instruments, including electronic ones. Liner notes include a short biography of Toyama and brief background information on the tracks along with the text of the songs and poems in English and Japanese.