Adam Simmons – The Fourth Perfection

PURCHASE ALBUM

A new recording of meditative solo shakuhachi by renowned multi-instrumentalist, Adam Simmons. 

The Fourth Perfection is a circle beginning with bamboo, the material from which shakuhachis are made. From there, the idea of the solitary monk in the landscape, immersed in the contemplation of nature gradually moves to the contemplation of the plants, flowers and animals within. The nature of calligraphy, language and motion captured in ink, gives rise to music created to reflect upon this, moving from text with meaning, to visual abstraction and finally transforming this visual stimuli into pure sound – the sound of which is produced from a simple piece of bamboo with five holes… and we have returned. 

Inspired by the interconnections between Chinese poetry, calligraphy and painting in National Gallery of Victoria’s “Three Perfections” exhibition, curated by Dr Mae Anna Pang (Dec 2013 – Jun 2014), The Fourth Perfection brings music into the mix also, exploring the shared and complementary elements between each art form.

credits

released April 26, 2014 

Adam Simmons – Shakuhachi (1.8, 2.0, 2.55) 
All music composed by Adam Simmons 

Premiered at NGV International – 26 April 2014 

Myles Mumford – recorded, mixed & mastered 

Celsius Design – graphic design 

Images courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) 

Recorded April 2014, Shed Studio, Northcote, Victoria, Australia 

Thanks to: Andrew MacGregor, Kaoru Kakizakai, Teruo Furuya, Kazushi Matama, Dr Mae Anna Pang (NGV), NGV Public Programs