Last weekend was the 17th (!) Harp Guitar Gathering. Jaci and I had a lot more time to relax this year, as we continued the transition towards others taking over the work (more on this in 2020). Of course, this just then gave me more time and freedom to wallow in the emotional grief of the “elephant not in the room” – the loss of our dear friend Hirokatsu Takai last December. Despite my best efforts to get through the weekend (I do tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve), I was privately a basket case much of the weekend.
We (the hosts and helpers) had to remind ourselves that there were new HGG attendees there for the first time, and others who may have only briefly experienced Hiro at past Gatherings – and they all deserved our full attention and their best festival experience. And they got it. In fact, everyone became part of the emotional experience when they participated in the segment “Please Listen” – Stephen Bennett’s heartfelt tribute to Hiro that he orchestrated for the participants.
Above, Stephen introduces the piece. On a lighter note – if you’re having trouble parsing this photo, it’s for good reason. SB shaved off his mustache for the first time since 1983 (at the suggestion of his son, Will, not his wife Nancy!). When he stepped out of the elevator, I did what is known in the comedy business as a “quintuple take.” By the end of the weekend, I kinda liked it!
There were several Group leaders who had the music well in advance (I led “Group 1 Melody Support”); the other Gathering attendees got theirs in the last few weeks and days as we drafted them into one group or another. On late Saturday afternoon, we then split up into our groups for a 15 minute crash course in getting through our parts.
Andy Wahlberg rehearses his group.
Martin Pleass preps his volunteers.
The groups assemble.
My own motley crew still cramming for the exam.
Besides the 5 different harp guitar sections, Stephen had arranged for violin, cello, harp, mandolin, super-trebles and eBow guitar (amplified on stage). To the right, Linda Morgan’s slide show ran during the music.
And…begin!
This video captures the third and final attempt. An incredible, and incredibly moving, musical event.
No one got a good look at the images, as most were buried in their music. But in the Saturday night concert, host Randall Sprinkle’s group Musically Yours performed Stephen’s quartet arrangement, and we – and the public – saw the slide show accompanied by what had now become a heart wrenching soundtrack. Not too many dry eyes in the house; I was overcome.
Stephen’s not-to-be-missed solo harp guitar arrangement of the piece can additionally be heard on his latest album, Passages.
While Stephen spent a good part of his year on his tribute, Frank Doucette and I were spending the year on our own project. After the first month of shock, with no catharsis forthcoming, we decided to explore the option of a CD compilation. With the help of professional translators, we received the blessing of Hiro’s family, formulated the project and contracts, and spent most of our year on it. Our goal: Collect the best of Hiro’s koto harp guitar compositions and performances, “produce” each track and the whole assemblage as a new album, optimizing fidelity and technical complications to make as cohesive and professional a release as possible. We believe we succeeded, creating a permanent, archival testament to the unique talent of a truly one of a kind artist.
We announced it during the Gathering’s Friday night raffle, and, while not exactly a festive “release party,” it was a celebration. And I think our “harp guitar family” became closer and stronger through this particular weekend.
For those of you who never had the opportunity to experience Hiro in person or who have yet to hear his music, I would urge you to “please listen.” Hirokatsu Takai: Master of the Koto Harp Guitar is now available for purchase here.
Just after we got back from the Gathering, we received a wonderful book from Hiro’s wife Masami (shown here with the CD); it includes photos and remembrances (several of us contributed entries) of the man, his music, his life and his lasting inspiration.
Until next time…
Eventually, I have received the Hiro’s last CD which was rerecorded by you, and was surprised at hearing and was impressed with its audio quality! How much Hiro was loved and is still loved by many of us!
By taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you who involved with this CD project.
And on behalf of Masami san (Hiro’s wife), I am sending you of her deep thankful for all of your great jobs.
Time is so fast and already past 11 months from the tragedy. Many days, I am listening the CD in my car and in my room.
And I feel relieved with the CD as if Hiro is sitting next to me and playing the songs, as same as we were in teenager.
Probably, all of we are on same feeling.
Lastly again, thank you so much for your fantastic job!
I listened to the CD a couple of times on Sunday. Its is mastered very well and “flows” as an album should. It stands as an artistic statement in its own right. Your work on a professional “music production” level is a great success. On an emotional level the project must have been hard and I can sense anger at the injustice of Hiro’s passing. Although I was denied the opportunity to get to know Hiro well this experience has helped me appreciate just what lovely people turn up to The Gathering and why Hirokatsu Takai travelled so far and to great personal expense to meet with you folks as often as he could. Its a good story and a very sad one. Than you all for allowing me to be a small part of it.
Thanks, all. Thanks for the comments Martin – makes me feel vindicated – this was indeed a difficult project in so many ways, but that was exactly our goal. Not a “compilation,” but Hiro’s best album ever – something I feel certain he would have been extremely excited about and proud of. I have no idea how you vibed some underlying “anger at the injustice” feeling, but I won’t deny that emotion might be there as well. Love, passion, anger, duty – all are good motivators. I’ve started quotes on the CD page (as I did with Norwegian Wood). Don’t be shy, folks.
Thanks for the wonderful report, Sir Gregory! As well as for the effort you and Frank put in on the cd project! By the way, I second your assessment: I also think the harp guitar “family” grew closer and stronger this year.
Onward we go!
Very nice. Thanks, Gregg!
So sorry to have missed HGG.
I was, as often, in another country, this time my 20th journey beyond the US borders since the beginning of the year.
Next year … I hope. I’m booked through September of next year (with projects in London, Sweden, and Singapore), but will do my best to keep October free.
JT
Your feelings, beautifully expressed, mirrored our own and surely those of all who had the gift of Hiro in our lives, albeit far too briefly. We’ve never been more proud to be part of a musical project. We can all have access to our recording of “Please Listen” but Hiro’s charm, talent and love are permanently recorded in our hearts.
Thanks and love to all,
D&B
Beautifully put Gregg – more than special x
Great blog Sir G. It was certainly a tear jerker watching the video.
I’m glad we did that piece together, kind of therapeutic for us all. When I got home I got my
Moheji album out which Hiro sent me and had forgotten that he put a letter in there for me
More tears . The new cd is fabulous. Thanks for doing it.
All the best
T