Toshiro Mayuzumi/Nirvana-Symphony (Iwaki, 1972)

The volume 1 of the Odaka Prize-winning Japanese contemporary music works performed by NHK Symphony Orchestra. Toshiro Mayuzumi's "Nirvana-Symphony" (1958) (conducted by Hiroyuki Iwaki) is a stereoscopic piece with "Campanology Effect" technique (the orchestra reproduces the sound of Buddhist temple bell based on its data analysis) and Buddhist (Zen and Tendai) texts performed by three groups of male chorus and orchestra, like Shomyo (Japanese Buddhist chant). Recommended to those who like Messiaen's "Turangalîla Symphonie". Also includes Akira Miyoshi's "Concerto for Orchestra" (1964) (conducted by Hiroyuki Iwaki) and Michio Mamiya's "Two Tableaux for Orchestra '65" (1965) (conducted by Yuzo Toyama).