| Taiko Otsubo is
one of the young leading experts, successively breaking up the
conventional senses of handbells. Composers dedicated her many
original pieces of music in resonation with her will to make
handbell music as an established art. Her many performances overseas
include the one at Carnegie Hall, New York, the first ever handbell
concert there, and the one at the White House, upon invitation by
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, the ex-First Couple. In 1992, she
founded and presided over The Chamber Ringing Soloists (CRS). The
group drew keen attention by its totally new performing style and
deep musical sensitivity, making itself a pioneer in the world of
handbells.? The CRS achieved successes both in Japan and overseas;
in Europe, through a joint performance with top members of the
Wiener Philharmoniker (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra), and in Japan,
through many appearances in TV such as “The Untitled Concert,”
“Tetsuko’s Room,” a long-running national talk show, and “Good
Morning, Japan,” daily news show by NHK (Japan Broadcasting
Corporation). It also released two CDs, “Resurreccion del Angel”
(The Resurrection of the Angel) and “Handbell Bach” through Toshiba
EMI. Otsubo won much acclaim also for her writing notes to the CDs.
In 2001 she disbanded the CRS, although sorely missed.? After that,
she produced concert tours in Japan for SONOS Handbell Ensemble, one
of top the groups at the forefront of handbell artistry in the
United States. For the tours of 2003 and 2005, she also performed in
the group. In 2006 she traveled in the United States to join as a
member for a concert tour and recordings, winning the highest
praises |
