23.08.

 20:00 Opening concert: Crossing the Boundaries, FREE
The opening concert will show contemporary music for shakuhachi and electronics.
Featured artists: Christopher Yohmei Blasdel (shakuhachi), Pamelia Kurstin (theremin), Michal Rataj (electronics), Vlastislav Matoušek (shakuhachi), Jim Franklin (shakuhachi), Jindřiška Křivánková (dance)

24.08.

11:30 – 12:30 WORKSHOP: Breathing, Voice and Life with Mika Kimula, FREE
Voice Projected by Your Breathing and Body Awareness
A workshop of active meditation utilizing ideas from Noguchi Taisô, a body awareness method and philosophy, pioneered by Michizô Noguchi, that actively connects breathing, voice, language and posture to our daily experiences (Noguchi Taisô has often been compared to the Alexander Technique). This workshop will also include an introduction to the fascinating life-morphology/cosmology of the celebrated Japanese embryologist, Shigeo Miki.

17:00 – 18:00 CONCERT: Pamelia Kurstin & Jim Franklin: walking bass, 100/70 CZK
Famous theremin player Pamelia Kurstin her unique style of theremin playing the Walking Bass in music of various genres. Jim Franklin, composer, shakuhachi and theremin player, will present his unique electroaccoustic composition for shakuhachi and theremin performed by a single person operating both instruments.

18:30 – 19:30 LISTENING SESSION: The Hogaku Journal Editor's Picks – The Best of Shakuhachi, No. 1, T. Tanaka, FREE
The Hôgaku Journal archives contain over 1900 recordings of Japanese hôgaku music. From these recordings the founder and chief editor, Takafumi Tanaka, will choose a selection of music that he thinks must be heard. They will include traditional, contemporary and pop music. Within these selections one can experience the scope and possibilities of shakuhachi music. Part 1.

20:00 – 22:30 CONCERT: Tales of the Uncanny: voice in Japanese & contemporary music, 150/100 CZK
The evening of 24th will be dedicated to voice in Japanese and contemporary music, featuring wonderful singer Mika Kimula, koto and shamisen player Yuji Kikuo and shakuhachi players Christopher Yohmei Blasdel, Gunnar Jinmei Linder, Vlastislav Matoušek and Kifu Mitsuhashi.

22:30 – 23:30 CONCERT: Jazz Jam Session: from grove to groove, FREE
Shakuhachi players and Czech musicians will meet on the grounds of jazz and improvised music.

25.08.

16:00 – 17:00 LECTURE: Rhythm and Kata in Traditional Japanese Music, G.J. Linder, FREE
Renown ethnomusicologist from Stockholm University, Gunnar Jinmei Linder, discusses the concept of rhythm in traditional Japanese music, especially centered around the honkyoku and the fixed forms, kata, of the Kinko style.

17:00 – 18:00 CONCERT: Mika Kimula & Yuji Kikuo: Tales of Love and Death, 100/70 CZK
Mika Kimula, Yuji Kikuo accompanied by Christopher Yohmei Blasdel on the shakuhachi will perform vocal pieces from various genres of Japanese music. Yuji Kikuo will also perform on a very old and rare Japanese instrument the Kokyu.

18:30 – 19:30 LISTENING SESSION: The Hogaku Journal Editor's Picks – The Best of Shakuhachi, No. 2, T. Tanaka, FREE
The Hôgaku Journal archives contain over 1900 recordings of Japanese hôgaku music. From these recordings the founder and chief editor, Takafumi Tanaka, will choose a selection of music that he thinks must be heard. They will include traditional, contemporary and pop music. Within these selections one can experience the scope and possibilities of shakuhachi music. Part 2.

20:00 – 22:30 CONCERT: Zen: Sound and Silence,  150/100 CZK
Spiritual music of the komuso will reverberate the concert hall on the evening of the 25th. Featuring many important players of various historical lineages, this concert will take you on a long journey towards your own self.
Featured players: Kifu Mistuhashi, Christopher Yohmei Blasdel, Gunnar Jinmei Linder, Vlastislav Matoušek, Kiku Day and Jim Franklin

22:30 – 23:30 CONCERT: Theremin, Shakuhachi, Percussion: improvisation today, FREE
Improvised electroaccoustic music performed by Marie Ladrová (theremin) and Marek Matvija (shakuhachi)

26.08.

16:00 – 17:00 LECTURE: Sankyoku: The Repertoire in Discussion, G.J. Linder, FREE
Renown ethnomusicologist from Stockholm University, Gunnar Jinmei Linder, discusses Japanese chamber music, Sankyoku and gives an in-depth analysis of the song lyrics of “Kaji-makura,” and relates it to the socio-historical context of the Edo period Japan.

17:00 – 18:00 CONCERT: Dietmar Herriger: Itchoken shakuhachi, 100/70 CZK
Spiritual music from one of the oldest temples of the shakuhachi perfomed by one of Itchoken master players, Dietmar Ipu Herriger.

18:30 – 19:30 LISTENING SESSION: Every Silence Sounds Different, P. Klusák, FREE
Silence and careful approach to sound permeate our noisy times in different ways. Sounds, projections and tales will remind you of silent tactics of improvising reductionists all the way to composers from Wandelweiser group. Excerpts from works of Taku Sugimoto, Michael Pisaro, Taku Unami and others.

20:00 – 22:30 CONCERT: Inner Landscapes, Contemporary Myths, 150/100 CZK
On the evening of August 26, you will have a chance to witness the world premiere of a new composition commissioned by Prague Shakuhachi Festival from Czech composer Jakub Rataj for two world-class performers, Kifu Mitsuhashi (shakuhachi) and Pamelia Kurstin (theremin) and strings. European premiere of Regardless, composition for solo shakuhachi, by Alexis Leonidou will be performed Jim Franklin. Famous piece Kakurin by Hirose Ryohei will be perfomed by Kifu Mitsuhashi. Other pieces will include Book of Principles by Zbyněk Vostřák, Universal Flute by Henry Cowell and others (to be ammended).
Featured players: Kifu Mitsuhashi (shakuhachi), Pamelia Kurstin (theremin), Jim Franklin (shakuhachi), Christopher Yohmei Blasdel (shakuhachi), Mika Kimula (voice), Vlastislav Matoušek (shakuhachi)

22:30 – 23:30 CONCERT: Mama Bubo: the big beat alternative, FREE
Legendary progressive/alternative rock band that remains ahead of the current since its underground beginnings in 1970's until today.

27.08.

13:00 – 14:30 WORKSHOP: From Language to Song with Mika Kimula, FREE
Voice Projected by Your Speech

Explanation and demonstration of Japanese singing techniques based on the Japanese language and its speech formation, with singing a simple Japanese song or two together with participants. This workshop will also include a DVD showing of various styles of Japanese song.

14:30 – 15:30 LECTURE: The Shakuhachi in the Meiji Period, G.J. Linder, FREE
Renown ethnomusicologist from Stockholm University, Gunnar Jinmei Linder, discusses the position of the shakuhachi at the end of the 19^th century, and the development of various new styles and lineages. Why didn't the shakuhachi and other Japanese music receive such an acclaim in West like, for example, Japanese painting?

15:30 – 16:30 LECTURE: The Shakuhachi in Present-day Japan, Why is it Relevant? T. Tanaka, FREE
This lecture will discuss the relevance of the shakuhachi in Japan today. Some of the topics covered will include the various ryûha schools of shakuhachi, how the shakuhachi is used and the present state of the shakuhachi, especially in comparison with the past. The worldwide appeal of the shakuhachi will also be discussed and why, with an understanding of the unique characteristics of the instrument, one can be so creative with the instrument.

17:00 CONCERT: Shakuhachi Matinee: meet young players, FREE
Meet young shakuhachi players at an afternoon concert to listen to traditional and modern compositions for the shakuhachi.

20:00 CONCERT: Student Concert: New Friends
Selection of pieces taught at the festival concerts will be perfomed by the teachers and their students.