MRG Recordings | Marika Takeuchi

MARIKA TAKEUCHI

Composer and pianist Marika Takeuchi, a native of Japan, began studies in classical music at the age of three. In addition to the piano, she played violin and French horn for several years. She began studying composition at the age of 18 at Shobi Music College in Tokyo. Her compositions have been heard on Japanese national radio, a major TV series and on Universal Music Japan. As well as being strongly influenced and fascinated by classical impressionism and film music, her passions have been also extended into new age music, as she truly believes that music has the profound power to heal and change people’s lives.

In 2009, Marika came to United States to study film scoring at the Berklee College Of Music. She has scored several inspiring, independent short films, such as “The Arctic Light”, the acclaimed TSO Photography’s time-lapse film; a short film about a summer enrichment program “Horizons: 50 Years”, and other award-winning independent shorts including “Finding Ambrosias”. She released her first piano album “Night Dream” in 2011, and her single “The Arctic Light” (2011) has been featured in the Australian TV commercial “Make Tomorrow Better” for Curtin University and the Norwegian Tourism Board’s official website.

Currently residing in Boston, Marika is passionately working on a wide variety of projects as a composer, pianist and orchestrator. Her 2013 album release, “Impressions”, earned her a nomination for Best Neo-Classical Album at the 10th Annual ZMR Music Awards. It features Sofia Ynes Gonzalez Pikul (flute), Nick Quattrocchi (clarinet), Yuki Nakajima (violin), Helen Kim (violin), Samantha A. Gillogly (viola) and Sassan Haghighi (cello).

The eleven tracks that comprise her November 11th 2014 album release, “Rain Stories”, feature a variety of solo offerings and chamber compositions with standout guest performances by oboist Miri Kudo, cellists Jacques Lee Wood and Sassan Haghighi as well as Steve Chieh-Wei Chiu who performs Erhu on “Koyo”, a track inspired by the autumn leaves in Kyoto.

In her own words, Marika describes the inspiration behind her new musical work: “’Rain Stories’ is my music diary to rainy days throughout the seasons with each song on this album having its own unique part in the storyline. ‘Rain In The Park’ and ‘Alone In Dreams’ animate mysterious and melancholy sentiments and it was my intention to convey the moments of beauty in sadness and loneliness. ‘Koyo’ was inspired by the autumn leaves I saw on a rainy day in Kyoto. It features the Erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument, and is a blend of my own Asian culture and Western classical music which is where most of my musical influences originate.”

Marika continues, “What I liked most about recording this album was that I had a bigger string ensemble to work with than before, which for me made the sound more vibrant and dramatic. I was also very fortunate to work with those I consider the best young musicians in town who gave their best to help me realize my inspirations.”

“Rain Stories” was written and arranged by Marika and co-produced with Andreas Bjorck.

1st Violin: Jesse Irons, Emily Dahl, Natalie Calme

2nd Violin: Asuka Usui, Lilit Hartunian
Viola: Jason Fisher
Cello: Jacques Lee Wood, Sassan Haghighi

Flute: Yuji Kano

Oboe: Miri Kudo

Clarinet: Juan Ruiz

Erhu: Steve Chieh-Wei Chiu

Recording Engineers: Antonio Oliart (WGBH Studios), John Weston (Futura Productions), Andreas Bjorck (Verite Music)

Mix & Mastered by Andreas Bjorck

Cover Art Photography: Jennie Marie Schell Photography, Marika Takeuchi

“Marika Takeuchi’s music can fit into many genres, but I am going to file her under wonderful music. Her piano playing is dynamic, yet soothing. In addition, I give her very high marks in composing music that draws you in like a great story and fills you up with lots of colorful details. Her music is so enchanting that either I want to know what happens next or better still, I want to be part of the adventure”