Written By: Emma Adkins, Staff Writer
Winthrop University’s Department of music hosted Naoko Watanabe on Sept. 28 for an afternoon recital that blended traditional Japanese art songs with popular selections. The performance, held in Barnes Recital Hall, introduced students and community members to a scene rarely heard outside Japan.
The program featured works by composers including Kosaku Yamada and Tamezo Narita – pioneers of the kakyoku tradition that combines Western classical structure with Japanese poetry.
Watanabe’s soprano shifted between delicacy and power, moving from Narita’s “Song of the Seashore” to Yamada’s “The Flowers of Wild Orange”. Her clear diction allowed even audience members unfamiliar with Japanese to connect to the emotion of the texts.
The recital concluded with Watanabe skillfully reciting “Heart of Eyes” By Toyohisa Araki, which the audience clapped along too. The choice of this closing after the more modern songs like “Popular” from Wicked truly shows Watanabe’s versatility in her voice and culture.
For some, this was their very first recital. Interior design major Maukyzia Williams said “It was very different for me,” and her favorite part being “the mix of Japanese and English throughout the recital.”
Illustration major Vee Hoskin said she was especially moved by “Cruel Angels Thesis,” but overall stated “The whole thing was just incredible. It’s hard to pick a top favorite part of the event.”
For some this event was more than a concert but a reminder on the power of music to cross borders. Through her carefully chosen program and expressive voice, Watanabe provided a glimpse into Japan’s musical heritage while creating a shared experience that transcended language.