The young, previously unknown Japanese soprano Aki Yamamura together with her piano accompanist Matthias Gräff-Schestag conjures us away to the world of Japanese songs. Few other oriental cultures were influenced musically by Europe like Japanese culture was. And yet these Japanese songs have retained their individual character, not only thanks to different musical elements such as pentatonic tunes or melodies with numerous semitones, but also quite simply due to the language which is quite alien to western ears. Occasionally the melody of the Japanese language introduces unusual rhythms into songs which might sound “usual” in their form. Often this music radiates a certain melancholy or charmingly contemplative ingredients. Quite obviously a Japanese artist was needed to convey these subtle nuances, and Aki Yamamura has succeeded masterfully. This production is a gem to enrich anyone interested in song.