Mayumi Miyata (sho), Münchener Kammerorchester/ Alexander LiebreichECM New Series 479 3938 ****

Three of the four works here involve the Japanese sho, a mouth organ (descended from the Chinese sheng) with a cluster of bamboo pipes that project vertically from the mouthpiece. It typically plays slightly clustery chords that can seem to float timelessly, as if carried along by some kind of gentle, natural force. Toshio Hosokawa's Sakura für Otto Tomek for sho solo keeps to this pattern. Landscape V(with string orchestra) and Cloud and Light(strings, brass and percussion) both retain the sense of glacial movement, however much momentary activity there may be on the surface. These works are very much the sho's show, and the Western instruments are used in ways that create reflections and refractions – and sometimes interruptions – of a contemplative stillness. Ceremonial Dancefor sho-less string orchestra is altogether earthier.

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