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In its straightforward Japanese transcription, "El Pez Dorado" uses
the "kanji" characters for "fish" and "gold." "El Pez Dorado" is the
name given to the most recently released CD of Eugenio Toussaint, a
musician from Mexico. The CD includes piano pieces that have not
been previously recorded, and which were inspired by Japanese music.
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| Eugenio Toussaint |
"I wonder why I am very attracted to Japanese culture," said the
pianist-composer on his recent visit to Japan. He can remember the
attraction beginning in his childhood. "When I was about 5, I loved
a book of Japanese mythology, which had ukiyoe illustrations," he
said. "At 7, I saw the animated movie 'Little Samurai.' The music
from that film, probably played on the koto, really impacted me. Now
I love Japanese music, especially Toru Takemitsu compositions, and
will get some scores to take home with me."
Toussaint was born in Mexico City, a place of striking contrasts.
Mythology has it that the original city was founded after an eagle
landed on a cactus there. Although Toussaint belongs to a
music-loving family, he was not encouraged at home to think of
making a career in music. He said: "In Mexico there's a strange
belief that music is not a profession to take. When I was about 8, I
had a very bad piano teacher who didn't realize I had a good ear,
and wanted me to learn everything by rote. I didn't want to go for
lessons. Fortunately, in my life I had friends who were musical, and
I could talk to them." As a pianist and composer, now one of
Mexico's most prominent, Toussaint considers himself to be basically
self-taught.
With his brothers, one a bass player and one a drummer, Toussaint
began a jazz band. He called it Sacbe, and says it became one of the
most influential bands in Mexican jazz history. The band lasted in
Mexico and the U.S. for about 20 years.
Toussaint moved with his brothers to Los Angeles, where he took
private lessons in orchestration. The band made recordings and built
its reputation. Over a three-year period, Toussaint worked as
musical conductor for popular artists, notably trumpet player Herb
Alpert and singer Paul Anka. After having been away for 10 years,
Toussaint returned to Mexico City and embarked on a new career in
classical composition.
"My parents thought I was a little bit crazy," he said. "I had a
weird career, playing the guitar for rock performances, taking up
jazz, playing the piano, and then classical composing. My parents
are very happy now."
He was helped by grants for composing given by the government. He
reports that there are now official opportunities available in
Mexico to help artists live by their art. Many Mexican painters,
writers and filmmakers compete successfully in the world, and
Toussaint is encouraged by the reception given to his classical
compositions. His works, performed by orchestras and groups within
Mexico, also command audiences in the United States, South America
and Europe. His recording "Gaugin" was nominated for the 2001 Latin
Grammy Awards for the best classical recording of the year. It
comprised orchestral arrangement featuring the English horn, harp
and piano.
Sometimes Toussaint goes to the States to take additional master
classes from eminent teachers. Married with three children, he has
established his family in the mountains outside Mexico City.
Difficulties with high altitude have never affected this native son.
He plays tennis as often as he can.
Toussaint has been previously to Japan -- never, he says, for
long enough. This time he came to attend a summit of musical
academies, as he is a director of Boston-based Berkelee Network,
"famous especially for jazz," he said. Commitments took him to the
Kansai area, but while he was in Tokyo he gave a concert at the
Embassy of Mexico. He said he was "really happy to be here in Japan,
and glad to be able to play for Japanese people."
Wherever he goes, Toussaint says that he is "fascinated by wine."
In Japan he is interested in visiting vineyards, and getting to know
some of the Japanese products. He is knowledgeable about Mexican
grapes and methods of winemaking. He said: "I gave a concert about
six months ago, and gave a tasting at the same time. That was the
ultimate."
The
Japan Times: Aug. 7, 2004
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