A Concert in Matsushima Coffee in Nagoya Japan

The other day, we held a concert by melodica and guitar, at Matsushima Coffee in Nagoya. Since relocating to Japan from the UK, it was our first full program performance in a long time. Initially, another melodica player was supposed to join us, but due to an unexpected illness the day before, we had to change the program at the last minute.

Along with the songs we've previously performed, we also played some pieces that, for various reasons, hadn't been showcased before. Each song holds a special place in our hearts, and we had a wonderful time sharing our music with the audience.

We hope to continue performing little by little, and we appreciate your ongoing support.

Date: 22 Jun 2024 Start 16:00

Venue:松島珈琲 (Matsushima Coffee) 〒464-0073 名古屋市千種区高見2-11-2シンワビル
Admission: Donation

Performer: Ayumi Toyama (Melodica) Ryusuke Koarashi (Guitar)

Programme:

Part I

1. M. Mirzayev - Lyrical Piece & Dance No.1 (from Six pieces based on Azerbaijani Folkloric Materials)
2. Bulgarian Folk Song - Vida Vido Byala Vido, Dilmano Dilbero
3. Templeton - Mozart A La Mode
4. Crimean Tatar Folk Song - Bahçalarda Kestane
5. Aşık Veysel - Uzun Ince Bir Yoldayım

Part II

1. A. Khachaturian - Two Funny Aunties Argued
2. R. Koarashi - A Bird Flying Over Mountains
3. G. Gasanov - Seven Lyrical Pieces based on Dagestan Folk Themes
4. R. Sakamoto - The End of Asia

After the Concert, "Music for a while"

Date: 12th May (SUN)
Time: 19:30～
Venue: East Finchley Methodist Church
High Rd., London N2 8AJ (opp.Creighton Ave)
Admission: Free Collection in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice

Programme:

Part I

1. Music for a While - H.Purcell (Vo, M & G)
2. Notturuno Op.37 - F. Molino (Vn & G)
3. Abendempfindung - W.A. Mozart (Vo & P)
4. An Chloe - W.A. Mozart (Vo & P)
5. Violin Sonata no.5 (Spring) - L.V Beethoven (Vn & P)

• I. Allegro
• II. Adagio Molto espressivo
• III. Scherzo: Allegro molto
• IV. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo

Part II

1. Pastime with Good Company - Attib. Henry VIII (P, A, U & C)
2. Frog Galliard - J. Dowland (M & G)
3. Fine Knacks for Ladies - J. Dowland (Vo, M & G)
4. Se Florindo e Fedele - A. Scarlatti (Vo, M & G)
5. Elegie - E. Satie (Vo & G)
6. La Statue de Bronze - E. Satie (Vo, M & G)
7. Pastorale - I. Stravinsky (Vo, M & G)
8. Sari Gelin - Folk Song (M & G)
9. Schafe Können Sicher Weiden (from Hunting Cantata) - J.S. Bach (M, Vn, Vo & G)

A=Andes, M=Melodica, G=Guitar, U=Ukulele, Vn=Violin,  Vo=Voice(Mezzo Soprano), C=Cajon, P=Piano

Performers:

Viola da Cunha (Mezzo Soprano)
Ayumi Toyama (Piano/Melodica/Andes)
Junko Ishigaki (Violin)
Ryusuke Koarashi (Guitar/Ukulele)
Satomi Hori (Cajon)

After the Concert at St Mary Church in Finchley

Thank you for coming all the way. We really had a great time to perform and hope you all enjoyed as well.

Date: 9th Feb (SAT）
Venue: St Mary Church at Finchley
Hendon Lane, London N3 1TR

Performers:
Ayumi Toyama (Piano/Melodica)
Ryusuke Koarashi (Guitar/Melodica)
Junko Ishigaki (Violin)

Programme:

Part I

1. Sonatine Op. 70 - A. Diabelli (P, G & V)
2. A Bird Flying Over Mountains - R Koarashi (G & V)
3. Le Montagnard - N. Coste (G & V)
4. Four Short Pieces for Violin and Piano - F. Bridge (V & P)
  i. Meditation
  ii. Spring Song
  iii. Lullaby
  iv. Country Dance

Part II

1. Jangi - U. Hajibeyov (M & G)
2. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach (M & G)
3. La Cumparsita - G.M.Rodriguez (M, G & V)
4. Romanian Folk Dances - B. Bartok (G & V)
 i. Stick Dance
 ii. Sash Dance
 iii. In One Spot
 iv. Dance from Buscum
 v. Romanian Polka
 vi. Fast Dace
5. Londonderry Air - Irish Trad. (M & G)
6. Hymn from Jupitar - G. Holst (M, M & V)
7. Pachelbel Canon - J. Pachelbel (M, G & V)
8. Libertango - A. Piazzolla (M, G & V)

M=Melodica, G=Guitar, V=Violin, P=Piano

Pocket Penguin(s) Concert on 9th Feb 2019

Pocket Penguin will be performing with a violinist, Junko Ishigaki. Hope to see you there.

Date: 9th Feb (SAT）
Start: 6:30pm　
Venue: St Mary Church at Finchley
Hendon Lane, London N3 1TR
(please do not go to church hall it will be held in CHURCH!)
Admission: Free (donations are welcome)

Performers:
Ayumi Toyama (Piano/Melodica)
Junko Ishigaki (Violin)
Ryusuke Koarashi (Guitar)

Programme:　
Trio for Violin, Guitar and Piano Op 70 (A. Diabelli)
Romanian Folk Dances for Violin and Guitar (B. Bartok)
Four Short Pieces for Violin and Piano (F. Bridge) Canon in D for Violin Guitar and Melodica (Pachelbel)
and more.

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.

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

Lunch time Concert

Piano/Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Guitar: Ryusuke Koarashi


Programme:

W.A.Mozart: Piano Sonata No.11 in A, K331

I. Andante grazioso - A theme with six variations
II. Menuetto – A minuet and trio
III. Alla Turca - Allegretto

Ryusuke Koarashi: A Bird Flying Over Mountains, HOTARU

Keigo Fujii: Variations on the theme SHABONDAMA

A. Khachaturian: Five Pieces from Children’s album

Bela Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances

Erik Satie: Sonatine Bureaucratique



10th June 2011

St. John’s Church Waterloo, London

Charity Concert, ‘Lend a hand to Japan’

Guitar: Ryusuke Koarashi
Piano/Melodica: Ayumi Toyama
Violin: Junko Ishigaki
Viola: Bryan Fairfax
Narration: Naoko Kubo


Programme:

W.A.Mozart: Duo No 1 in G major, K423 (Vln, Vla)
 I. Allegro
 II. Adagio
 III. Rondeau: Allegro

B. Bartok: Rumanian Folk Dances (Mel, G)

A. Khachaturian: Five Pieces from Children’s album (Mel, G)

Yuji Takahashi: John Downland Returns (Nar, G)

W.A.Mozart: Piano Sonata No.11 in A, K331 (Mel, G)
 I. Andante grazioso – a theme with six variations
 II. Menuetto – a minuet and trio
 III. Alla Turca – Allegretto in A minor

Ryusuke Koarashi: HOTARU (P, G)

Keigo Fujii: Variations on the theme SHABONDAMA (P, G)

Eric Satie: Gymnopedie (Vln, Vla, P, G)


Date: 4th June 2011

Venue: St. George’s Church, Bloomsbury Way WC1A 2HR

Guitar and Piano Concert

Guitar and Piano Lunch Time Free Concert

Guitar: Ryusuke Koarashi
Piano: Ayumi Toyama

Programme
1. Carulli, Ferdinando/Gustavo: Duo in D major Op.134
I. Larghetto, II. Rondo

2. Stevens, Bernard: Autumn Sequence

3. Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Mario: Guitar Concerto No.1 in D major Op. 99
I. Allegro giusto, II. Andantino alla romanza - Largo, III. Ritmico e cavalleresco

4. Molino, Francesco: Nocturne No. 2, Op.44
I. Introduzione: Largo - Tema con variazioni, II. Rondo: Allegretto

5. Fujii, Keigo: Variations on the theme SHABONDAMA

7th April 2011
St. Paul's Church Covent Garden