Rachel Rudich, shakuhachi, and Kozue Matsumoto, koto, meld their love of traditional Japanese music with their expertise in contemporary and experimental forms.
Their fusion of traditional, modern, and improvisational music creates an incredibly vibrant and exciting showcase for Japanese culture through music. Rudich and Matsumoto co-taught and co-directed the CalArts Japan Ensemble from 2019 to 2024, and Rudich taught shakuhachi at CalArts 2008-2024. They also directed an online lecture-demonstration series with guest artists from various Japanese musical and performing arts from around the globe during 2020-2021.
The Duo’s name Hana Hibiki, consists of two Japanese words: one is Hana 花 which means Flower, and one is Hibiki 響 which means Resonate. Hana can also mean “beauty of arts,” 風姿花伝, taken from the Fushi Kaden,a 15th century text by Zeami on Noh theatre. This work has a wide appeal as a philosophical treatise on the nature of art in general. In this context, the word Hana is used meaning “beauty of arts.”
Hana Hibiki is available for Duo performances or recordings, live or remotely, separately, or with additional players on taiko. Recent Performances include the following appearances:
- with Makoto Taiko at the Arcadia Perfoming Arts Center
- Van Nuys Japanese Garden with members of CalArts Japan Ensemble
- Descanso Japanese Gardens
- with Makoto Taiko at Art Night Pasadena
- Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena
- with Makoto Taiko at Shumei Center in Pasadena
- Recital at Balch Auditorium at Scripps College