After the concerts in Nagoya, Japan

Pocket Penguin has finished two concerts at Munetsugu Hall and at Sarmale on 18th of December. We would like to say many thanks to all of you who came to these events and also who supported us.!

The programmes:

Lunch time concert (day-time)

＊Bulgarian Folk Dance - Kopanitsa
＊Musa Mirzoev - 6 pieces on material of Azerbaijan Folklore
1. Lyrical piece
2. First Dance
3. Second Dance
＊Niyazi Hajibeyov - Music fragments from the film “Almas”
＊Michio Miyagi- Haru no Umi
＊Bartok Bela - Romanian Christmas Carols Series 1
＊Christmas Carol - The First Noel
＊Ennio & A. Morricone: Fragments from the Film “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso”
＊Ryusuke Koarashi - A Bird Flying over Mountains
Encore: Handel- Ombra Mal Fu

The Live show (evening-time)
Part 1:
＊Bulgarian Folk Dance - Kopanitsa
＊Hideyuki Fujiwara (sung by Sachiko Nishida) - Akashia no Ame ga yamutoki
＊Musa Mirzoev - 6 pieces on material of Azerbaijan Folklore
1. Lyrical piece
2. First Dance
3. Second Dance
＊Michio Miyagi- Haru no Umi

Part 2:
＊Tadashi Manjome (sung by Hibari Misora) - Kanashiki Kuchibue
＊Christmas Carol - The First Noel
＊Bartok Bela - Romanian Christmas Carols Series 1
＊Ryusuke Koarashi: Ikoku no oka (Foreign Hill)
＊Ennio & A. Morricone: Fragments from the Film “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso”
＊Marguerite Monnot: Hymne à l'amour
Encore: Ryusuke Koarashi - A Bird Flying over Mountains



Ayumi Toyama: Melodica
Ryusuke Koarashi: Guitar

Kitchen Party (Christmas Party)

Kitchen Party (Christmas Party) has finished.

Programme:

Ennio & A. Morricone: Fragments from the Film "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso"
B. Bartok: Romanian Christmas Carol
Ryusuke Koarashi: Ikoku no oka (Foreign Hill)
Christmas Carol: The First Noel

Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar: Ryusuke Koarashi

Fragments from the Film "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso" is an arrangement of pieces from the famous Italian film "new cinema paradise" in English. Ryusuke first arranged for solo guitar many years ago, and this time rearranged it for melodica and guitar. All the film music might be strongly attributed to a particular situation in the film, but such film music can often be enjoyed separately, giving alternative meaning and context outside the film. The pieces in the arrangement was not just ordered with following the story of the film, but was re-edited to give a different meaning as a whole. (originally it was made it for a wedding party of Ryusuke's friend). Romanian Christmas Carol is originally a piano piece by Bartok, chosen and "edited" from Christmas songs in Romania.Those songs are sung during Christmas time, but according to Bartok, many of those have the origin in ancient religion before the Christianity raised. Foreign Hill was composed in many years ago, and was even forgotten until now "rediscovering". Now it is renewed for melodica and guitar, and will be performed for next concert again.



The concept of Kitchen Party is to enjoy listening music with eating and drinking. So everyone brings his/her own food and drink to share with each other. We have enjoyed various food from many different countries, but this time, surprisingly we encountered our favourite food, SUSHI!! Many thanks to N-san who brought it! and hope to see "them" again!

The First Nöel, for Melodica & Guitar

Christmas is near. Shinning decoration is now covering over London to celebrate it. Today, Pocket Penguin is adding a movie with our arrangement of an English carol, The First Noel. This piece will also be performed in concerts in Japan next month. Please switch off the lights to watch the video, and hope it will be another ornament at your place.

 

Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar & Arrangement: Ryusuke Koarashi

My Friend is Unwell by Aram Khachaturian, on Melodica & Guitar

It's been getting colder and darker in London. Winter will be coming here soon. Today we are uploading a new piece which might suit to this particular season. Aram Khachaturian's piece, "My friend is unwell". It sounds shadowy, but sometimes a light emerges beautifully through a rift in the clouds.

 Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar: Ryusuke Koarashi

 

Live show in Nagoya, Japan on 18th December

Pocket Penguin is going to have a live show in December in Nagoya, Japan. Reservation is essential as the show includes dinner and 1 drink and the seats are limited. To reserve a place, please email your name and the title of the event. E-mail: info@duo.penguinistan.com

Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar: Ryusuke Koarashi

Date: 18th December (TUE)
Time: 7:30pm (Door Open: 7:00pm)
Venue: Romanian Resutaurant Sarmale
Nagoya-shi, Aoi, 1-16-28 461-0001 TEL:052-935-8877
Subway: Higashiyama Line Shinsakae Station (2 mins walk from exit 2)
Map: click here
Admission: 4000yen (includes dinner, 1 drink & music charge)

It will be the second time to play at Sarmale for Pocket Penguin. Sarmale is a friendly and cozy restaurant where serves the authentic Romanian food (very delicious, umai!). Pocket Penguin will be playing variety of music including new arrangement of Christmas songs and Azerbaijani classical pieces(going to be Japan premiere), etc.

Hope to you see you there!!!!

Kitchen Party (Christmas Mini Concert) in December

Pocket Penguin will be organising a Christmas party in December. If you are interested in performing or setting up your booth to sell your products, please contact us:

E-mail: info@duo.penguinistan.com

Also for those who want to come to the party, please your schedule open as follows!

Date: 1st December (SAT)
Time: 6pm-9pm (door open:5.30pm)
Place: St Mary Church (Small Hall) 26 Hendon Lane, Finchley, London N3 1RT
Performers/Artists: 5pounds
Admisson: 2 pounds
Bring your own food or drink for our party!!!

*Kitchen Party is a music event started by Ayumi Toyama three years ago and now regularly held by musicians (both professional and amateur). The initial concept was for both musicians and listeners to enjoy music with having food and drink.

Lunch time concert in Nagoya, Japan on 18th Dec

Pocket Penguin will have a lunch time concert in Nagoya in December.

Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar: Ryusuke Koarashi

Date: 18th December (TUE)
Time: 11:30am-12:30pm
Place: Munetsugu Hall
Fee: 1000 Yen
Click here for the flyer

If you would like to book a ticket, please e-mail: info@duo.penguinistan.com
We also appreciate if you could recommend your friends who live in Nagoya to come to our concert!

-----　Programme ----

Bartok Bela - "Three Hungarian Folksong from Csik"
Bulgarian Folk Dance - "Kopanitsa"
Ryusuke Koarashi - "A Bird Flying over Mountains" etc.

A mini concert on 29th September

Ayumi Toyama (melodica)
Ryusuke Koarashi (guitar)

Programme:

"6 pieces on material of Azerbaijan Folklore" by Musa Mirzoev
1. Lyrical Piece
2. First Dance
3. Second Dance

"Prelude 2" & "Eskiz" by Qara Qarayev

"2 pieces on Azerbaijan Folk Themes" by Fikret Amirov

Music fragments from the film "Almas" by Niyazi Hajibeyov

Liebeslied by Fritz Kreisler


We performed our new repertoires composed by Azerbaijani composers. Liebeslied by Kreisler was a request of our friend who always comes to our concerts.

A Bird Flying over Mountains

We are very happy to announce that our first album, "A BIrd Flying over Mountains" which was originally released on Feb 2012, finally became available for digital download at CD baby, amazon.co.uk, amazon.com, iTunes Store, and many others. Also the booklet and postcards are downloadable at discography section.


Pocket Penguin:

Ayumi Toyama(Melodica)

Ryusuke Koarashi(Guitar)

A Little Song by A.Khachaturian

"A Little Song" by Aram Khachaturian

Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar & Arrangement: Ryusuke Koarashi

Jumping Rope by Aram Khachaturian

Jumping rope from children's album by Aram Khachaturian. Did you hear something interesting in it!?

Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar & Arrangement: Ryusuke Koarashi

Scherzo by Aram Khachaturian

Scherzo from Children's Album by Aram Khachaturian. We have been playing this Scherzo with his other pieces as a set at many concerts. Hope you enjoy it.

 

Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar & Arrangement: Ryusuke Koarashi

Live Music at Tobacco Factory

Live Music

Date: 4th March (SUN)
Time: 2:30pm-3:30pm
Venue: Tobacco Factory. Raleigh Rd, Bristol, BS3 1TF

Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar: Ryusuke Koarashi

Programme:

Mozart: Rondo Alla Turca

Kreisler: Liebesleid

Miyagi: Sea of Spring (Haru no Umi)

Satie: Cinema

Bach: Prelude from Cello Suite III

Khachaturian: 5 pieces from Children’s Album

- A Little Song
- Scherzo
- Skipping Rope
- Eastern Dance
- Two Funny Aunties Argued
- My Friend is Unwell

Koarashi: A Bird Flying Over Mountains

This is the Kit

The support act of This Is The Kit
Date: 3rd March (SAT) 8pm
Venue: Colston Hall 2, Colston St Bristol BS1 5AR


Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar: Ryusuke Koarashi


Programme:

Bartók: Three Hungarian Folk Songs from Csík

Bach: Prelude from Cello Suite III

Miyagi: Sea of Spring (Haru no Umi)

Mozart: Rondo Alla Turca

Koarashi: A Bird Flying Over Mountains