Executive & Artistic Director
Thor Steingraber
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Yamato
The Drummers of Japan
“Hito no Chikara” | “The Power of Human Strength”
Sat Mar 22 | 3pm
Run Time: about 2 hours including a 20-minute intermission
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“Hito no Chikara” | “The Power of Human Strength”
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Program
跫 Ashioto | Footsteps
It appeared on a barren land, rising at dawn, and began walking toward the sun. It crossed fields, mountains, and valleys, passing through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. As the sun set, it lay down, admired the moon, and counted the stars. Born and vanished, vanished and born again, it rises, walks, and keeps walking. What is it striving for? Why does it continue to walk? The sound of footsteps echoes through the air.
有頂天 Ucho-ten | Rapture
This is the pinnacle of the world. Today, I have reached the highest point I have ever known. For now, I will forget everything and celebrate the self that arrived here today. It is incredible. I feel on top of the world. My life is going splendidly … until the wind blows, sweeping me back to the start. When reality hits, fear creeps in, so I will laugh it all off and keep pushing forward. Tomorrow, I will climb even higher. I am aiming for the very top.
烈⽕ Rekka | Wildfire
Bodies collide, flesh against flesh. Sound against sound. But what truly clashes are the inner souls. Each body, ignited by a multitude of souls, burns with flames of varied hues. Sparks fly, as vibrant flames clash, pulsing to the rhythm of beating hearts. The flames begin to synchronize with the beats, becoming one, fiercely and beautifully burning. What can be seen within that blazing unity? The roar of sound resonates.
我楽多 Garakuta | Odds and Ends
Voices of odds and ends are heard. Their voices, small and cheerful, play with the day today. There is no grand reason to speak of, no particularly profound cause. These odds and ends serve no specific purpose and are of no use to the world. Yet, there is a spirited desire to express this: There is no trash in this world. Everything, surely, is someone’s treasure. Little hearts resonate together.
“Odds and ends” written in kanji as “我 (ga), 楽 (raku), 多 (ta)” translates to “I have fun.” This is a comedic piece using a small instrument called a chappa, not a traditional Japanese drum.
壱徹 Ittetsu | Stubborn
Once I am resolved, I pursue my goal without diversion. I press on with unwavering determination, embodying “stubborn persistence.” An unbendable belief, once so steadfast, twists and bends under various temptations. My strong will and resolve sometimes fade, becoming nearly invisible. Even today, struggling not to succumb to defeat, I continue to battle with myself. I live with a clear mind and purpose. Just keep drumming!
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Intermission
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熱情 Netsujou | Passion
Born into this world as a human, carrying a passion that endures as long as life persists. The fervor that burns in the hearts of all who live in the present moment. Now is the time to raise that passion high. With the flame of this fervor, illuminate the darkness and forge ahead on the path that lies before us. Let us raise our voices and thrust our fists skyward. The heart, an engine beating strongly within, sends energy to both body and spirit. Hearts dance with the joy of shared smiles. O flame of passion, illuminate the world and its people.
爛爛 Ran-Ran | The Glaring Thing
A glowing light within the heart, a brilliance shining deep in the eyes. Quietly present, clearly existing, unyielding to any force that may come. Close the eyes to behold it. With resolve, lift your face, and in that moment of opening your eyes, light bursts forth from within. A flash of brilliance carves out the path that must be followed. Let us proceed without hesitation.
輩 Yakara | The Guys
Not knowing when one transitions from child to adult. No matter how old we grow, we can never fully become adults. Dreams, hopes, ambitions, and desires. Repeatedly swinging between joy and sorrow. Let us cherish the innocent and pure parts within each other, embracing and supporting one another. Let us stand together, sweating and shedding tears, once more. Grimly determined.
楽打 Rakuda | Joy of the Beat
“Raku-da” is a coined term combining the kanji for “fun” (楽, raku) and the kanji for “to drum” (打, da). The sound of the term evokes the image of a camel in Japanese. It conveys a sense of the camel’s whimsical demeanor, wandering through the endless desert. Raku-da represents “drumming with joy,” and this song embodies that spirit. It is considered one of the representative pieces of Yamato, with the group traveling through an endless world with this music.
Program Note
The Japanese drummers have become a regular at The Soraya, thrilling families and audiences of all ages. Over the years, I have come to especially appreciate the extreme physical demands put on these performers, onstage and backstage alike. They arrive hours before the performance and fully participating in the setup of the stage, as well as the care of their instruments and costumes. To witness their pre- and postshow routines is to appreciate their dedication to all aspects of their craft. Most cultural artists are deeply engaged in the rituals surrounding their performance and the meaning of these long-held traditions. They are not in it for the applause alone. They are ambassadors of their nations and cultures, preserving and celebrating the art forms of their ancestors. I hold them in awe.
Gratefully,
Thor Steingraber
Executive and Artistic Director,
Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts
Terence Blanchard
Champion and Fire Shut Up in My Bones
Highlights from two operas by composer and jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard
Featuring Blanchard, the E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet
Visuals by Andrew F. Scott
Vocalists Justin Austin and Adrienne Danrich
A Soraya Commission in collaboration with LA Opera Off Grand
Terence Blanchard made history in 2021 as the first Black composer to premiere an original opera at the Metropolitan Opera. Fire Shut Up in My Bones took the world by storm, and then he did it again in 2023 with another groundbreaking hit, Champion. A collaboration with Los Angeles Opera, The Soraya commissioned a world premiere of selections from both operas performed by Blanchard himself. The American trumpeter and film composer leads his own E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet with baritone Justin Austin and soprano Adrienne Danrich on April 6 at The Soraya.
「人の力」“Hito no Chikara” | “The Power of Human Strength”
Technology is a tool,
It is humans who wield it.
With the advancement of technology,
An era where technology possesses intelligence.
Will humans become tools used by technology?
What will become of human existence?
In this age where humans are alive,
Beat the taiko drum.
Made of a huge wooden body and cowhide,
Resonating with the power of the human body.
It is the heartbeat.
The Power of Human Strength.
Yamato
Yamato is a Japanese taiko drumming group based in Asuka-mura, Nara prefecture, which is well known by Japanese people as the hometown of Japan. They call themselves “Yamato, the taiko drumming group that travels all over the world.”
Since 1993, they have given more than 4,700 shows in 55 countries around the world. They have performed in theaters and schools, as well as all types of events, and even held workshops and taiko lessons. They tour Japan for half a year, and the other half around the world. Their motto is, “We go everywhere when somebody needs Yamato — bringing energy to people around the world.”
On stage, the drummers stand with more than 40 taiko drums, each with their own unique characteristics. For example, their largest drum, called odaiko, produced from a huge tree that was more than 400 years old, is approximately 6 ½ feet in diameter and weighs about 1,100 pounds. All the taiko drums are different sizes and have different sounds.
The members of the group have trained their bodies to the limit to beat these massive drums. The acoustic pressure far surpasses what one could imagine.
But they do not simply make their taiko drums explode with sound — they also produce delicate music that provides the listener with a palette of meticulously crafted sound. This is why Yamato’s original performances are known as “physical music,” and they continue to receive high acclaim all over the world. Yamato is sometimes intense, sometimes sad, sometimes comforting, and sometimes even comical.
The audience is more than a group of bystanders at Yamato’s performances. They sweat, cry, and laugh as they’re engulfed by the sound of the taiko; they become one with the performers. They come together to create an instant in which they feel truly alive.
LA Seen
Rising talent. Hometown icons.
For more than a decade, Los Angeles performing artists have had a home at The Soraya. They are standouts throughout the many seasons, performing original works, undertaking first-time collaborations, and rising to new heights. The Soraya both keeps an eye out for rising local talent and uplifts the ongoing work of the region’s favorites. Thousands of fresh eyes in The Soraya’s Great Hall have been introduced to hometown dancers, jazz artists, and other musicians. In April, The Soraya introduces its first monthlong series of programs dedicated to the performing arts in Los Angeles, LA Seen.
You Belong Here
This is your opportunity to belong to something special. Our 2024-25 Members enjoy exclusive experiences, such as the Member Appreciation Night for all Members, special events and artist meet-and-greets (Silver Members and above), private pre-performance artist salons (Silver Members and above), our festive holiday party, the annual Director’s Dinner in 2025 (Platinum Members), and more — as well as priority access to your preferred seats, your very own Members Only Seating Section, and exclusive savings when you select five or more performances. Most importantly, Member benefits are valid all season.
Beyond the benefits, Members drive our mission to present the highest caliber artists who captivate, inspire, and transport our audiences. Here, Members are part of a growing community of arts lovers connected by the joy of shared human experience. Here, Members belong.
About Us
The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts is an award-winning, 1,700-seat theater that opened in 2011 and was designed by HGA Architects and Engineers. In 2017, a transformative gift by Younes and Soraya Nazarian dubbed the venue The Soraya (formerly the Valley Performing Arts Center). A vibrant performance program has served to establish The Soraya as the intellectual and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley and its 1.8 million residents, and further establish The Soraya as one of the top arts companies in Southern California.
The Soraya’s 2024-25 Season boldly advances the immersive sound of big orchestras; the free flow of jazz; an array of dance; and a cultural bounty drawn from the well of world traditions. The Soraya continues its vigorous commitment to innovating, excelling, and amplifying access by offering a wide variety of performances that reflect LA’s many distinctive communities and featuring new and original work from the Los Angeles region as well as artists from around the world.
Located on the vibrant campus of the California State University, Northridge, The Soraya and the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication share an integral link that enhances student opportunities in the arts and performing arts. This partnership fosters academic opportunity and artistic excellence, elevating the talents of CSUN’s students.
A $5 million contribution from record producer and former California Lieutenant Governor Mike Curb was pivotal in ensuring The Soraya was completed and opened in 2011. For his founding support and in acknowledgment of the integral relationship between the Mike Curb College and The Soraya, Curb is recognized as one of The Soraya’s Cornerstone Benefactors. The relationship between The Soraya and the Mike Curb College continues to grow, with robust offerings for students through master classes, student tickets, concerts of student ensembles, and students appearing alongside renowned artists, such as Wynton Marsalis, Aida Cuevas, and Martha Graham Dance Company.