SYMPHONY KUKAI POWERFULLY PORTRAYS A STORY FROM THE 8TH CENTURY USING TODAY’S VERY BEST PERFORMERS

By Madeleine Anderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Bringing together China’s Central Conservatory of Music, Japanese conductor Takuo Yuasa, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, the Symphony Kukai performance uses a dramatic and rare musical dialogue to share the story of the eighth-century Buddhist monk Kūkai.

Marking 1250 years since his birth the narrative arc of Kūkai’s life unfolds across six movements, each drawing fully on the combined vocal and orchestral strength of more than 250 performers from China and the UK.

Quiet passages sit alongside moments of dramatic intensity, with carefully balanced orchestral writing and powerful choral forces working in unison to express the spiritual teachings and enduring influence of the significant figure in Buddhism.

The opening Prologue immediately establishes a ritualistic atmosphere. Inspired by a sutra affirming the possibility of enlightenment for all practitioners, it surrounds the audience with sound. Thunderous strokes of the Taiko drum, tinkering strings, and deeply expressive voices are complemented by temple bells that are physically carried through the auditorium, creating an immersive, and intriguingly disorienting sense of sacred space.

The huge variety of instruments (and multiple rows of singers) make it hard to know where the sound of each voice or instrument is coming from. With this, the audience is encouraged to submit to the music and to settle into the performance’s transience without holding on to any precise moments or notes.

What is particularly striking is the ease with which musicians from different musical traditions perform as a unified ensemble. English and Chinese players blend with remarkable fluency, and the integration of oriental tonal colours feels instinctive rather than studied. While Kūkai’s original mantras were written in Sanskrit, the decision to set the libretto in Mandarin Chinese is effective. Its compact, syllabic nature delivers a sharper, more percussive vocal delivery than English would, lending rhythmic precision and a distinctive character to the choral writing.

Also memorable are the passages featuring harp and flute, which introduce a watery lightness and playful, flowing texture that softens the monumental scale of the work and adds a sense of movement and clarity.

Across all six of the show’s movements the stages of Kūkai’s life are vividly evoked through the full resources of orchestra and choir.

The Prologue is especially compelling, establishing a ritualistic atmosphere rooted in Buddhist tradition. Resounding Taiko drum beats anchor the music, while ethereal strings and heartfelt voices create a sense of reverence.

Symphony Kukai was performed at The Southbank Centre on 30 January.

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Photo Credit: Benjamin Ealovega