Stream or download all Momo Kodama’s recordings here
“The piano, Toshio Hosokawa says of his meditative work, is the lotus: its blossoming represents the mind’s opening. Lower orchestral textures symbolise water, higher ones air. A concept exquisitely realised, its touching ending frames explicit reference to the slow movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto, K488. Momo Kodama – piano – plays with the delicacy under Seiji Ozawa’s magisterial direction.”
CD of the Week, The Times – April 2021
“Beide Aufzeichnungen überzeugen durch überlegene Freiheit, eloquente Feinheit und selbstverständliches Miteinander des Musizierens: Eine schöne Live-Produktion in tadelloser Aufmachung.”
Ingo Harden, Fono Forum – April 2021
“Momo Kodama is a subtle and poetic soloist in both works, in control of a particularly beautiful range of quiet sonorities in the Hosokawa and matching that, in the Mozart, with ‘pouring-oil’ passagework and deliciously pearly touch. Seiji Ozawa conducts his Mito Chamber Orchestra, performing with equal attention to detail, translucent textures and a deep sense of affection for the music. Recorded sound is icy-clear and precise.”
Classical-Music.com – April 2021
“Deborah and Sarah Nemtanu are the skittish violinists, Mari and Momo Kodama the battling pianists, and the viola soloist in the Rhapsody is Magali Demesse. Lawrence Foster, the conductor, never lets the Orchestre Philharmonique de Marseille slacken. A triple portrait of a still-undervalued composer makes this a rewarding disc.”
The Financial Times – April 2018
“Sisters Mari and Momo Kodama are on terrific form and their playing throughout feels as if they are listening to each other as if in a chamber music recital. Their combined purpose and style has a consistent quality and this concerto could hardly receive a better performance.”
MusicWeb International – May 2018
“The imaginative and always inventive Bohuslav Martinů gets a modern makeover in this new release. (…) Very highly recommended!”
The Art Music Lounge – May 2018
“A revelatory selection of some of Martinu’s most accessible works.”
Sunday Times Album of the Week – May 2018
“Forget other recordings of Debussy’s Etudes. Not that this is better than Gieseking, Pollini, Uchida, Bavouzet and the rest – it’s merely that such comparisons are redundant…Kodama brings a wonderful capacity for stillness to Hosokawa’s often ascetic language…but this is an inventive exploration of both composers.”
BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE – June 2017
“With her interpretation of Debussy, Kodama allows us hear that, as Debussy said “these etudes cloak a strict technique under the flowers of harmony”. However, Hosokawa’s etudes negate intentions of technique, outlining and wrapping around the compositional principle “point and line”, in a way that enchants through poetic joy.”
June 2017, Südeutsche Zeitung
“The album is called Point and Line after one of the Hosokawa studies, but that name also hints at the cool definition of Kodama’s playing. Her touch is immaculate and diligent, neatly flamboyant in the Debussy and reassuringly robust in the Hosokawa. She writes that both composers are “between meditation and virtuoso development, between light and shade, between large gestures and minimalist refinement” – and it’s those places in between that make her interpretations interesting.”
Kate Molleson, January 2017, The Guardian
“Momo Kodama plays Hosokawa in a very insightful, almost soft way. Playing Debussy, however, her transparency convinces. Every little tone colour emerges crystal clearly.”
January 2017, Klassik Akzente
Here also, the quality of the performance certainly made an impression, particularly in highlighting the variety and richness of colours. […] the two Japanese interpreters do not disappoint, offering to the listener an additional confirmation of their sensitivity, and of their extraordinary fluidity of touch and reciprocal understanding.
Il Mondo della Musica 2017
The Japanese sisters Mari and Momo Kodama grew up hearing The Nutcracker. That deep familiarity gives their performance of the suite here, transcribed for two pianos by Arensky (1861-1906), particular sparkle and style. The Sugar Plum Fairy sounds as delicate on piano as for the celesta or the original orchestration, and the delicious Pas de deux loses nothing in translation. Rachmaninov’s version of Sleeping Beauty, made when he was still in his teens at Tchaikovsky’s request, sounds slightly smudgy in comparison, in need of more edge. The short suite from Swan Lake (arr. Langer) works well, as does Debussy’s for the same ballet – fascinatingly, still retaining Debussy’s distinctive voice. An enjoyable way to encounter these scores.
Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian – January 2017
Mari et Momo Kodama ont mis un soin maniaque à cerner précisément toutes les ambiances orchestrales ainsi transposées. Partout, même dans les passages les plus exaltés (Pas de deux), il y a une finesse, un tact, une sensualité qui charment. Prise de son parfaite pour couronner ce bijou inattendu.
Christophe Huss, Le Devoir – Décembre 2016
Virtuos und transparent musiziert von den Schwestern Mari und Momo Kodama.
MDR KLASSIK Radio – December 2016
[…] Together with her sister Momo Kodama she masters it brilliantly, navigating through the turmoils of the opening movement, letting the melodie give consolation in the second movement and speeding with great effect through the finale. With their encore the Kodama sisters show that there lies a little drama even in a ballet piece (“Danse des mirlitons” from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker”).
Rainer Wagner, Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung – November 2016
When the Japanese Mari and Momo Kodama entered the stage it was already obviuos from their distinctivly patterned dresses that the performance would be beyond normal concert routine. Bohuslav Martinu’s concerto for two pianos and orchestra might have been new to the majority of the audience. The first and last movement ran at full speed. Not less demanding the Adagio in the middle, precisely because it asks for containment – to play easy is often the most difficult endeavour, which was mastered by the Kodama sisters in the most convincing manner.
Jörg Worat, Neue Presse – November 2016
Together for the first time in the recording studio, the sisters Mari and Momo Kodama are on scintillating form in these lively arrangements of music from Tchaikovskys ballets Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker.
John Brunning, Classic FM – November 2016
Le sommet arrive avec le Concerto pour deux pianos du même Martinù : Mari et Momoyo Kodama sont exceptionnelles !
Yves Bergé, Journal Zibeline – Avril 2016
LA VALLÉE DES CLOCHES
MAURICE RAVEL (1875-1937)
MIROIRS
01) Noctuelles (5:13)
02) Oiseaux tristes (3:56)
03) Une barque sur l’océan (7:31)
04) Alborada del gracioso (6:59)
05) La vallée des cloches (5:19)
TORU TAKEMISU (1930-1996)
06) Rain Tree Sketch (4:00)
OLIVIER MESSIAEN (1908-1992)
07) La fauvette des jardins (32:25)
Recording Date: September 22-25, 2012
Recording Location: Neumarkt, Germany
Total Time: 65:23
An ECM Production – www.ecmrecords.com
Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 – Horn Concerto / Lotus under the Moonlight / Chant (Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Märkl)
TOSHIO HOSOKAWA (1955)
01) Horn Concerto, “Moment of Blossoming” (19.00)
02) Lotus under the moonlight (20.00)
03) Chant (19.00)
Performer: Stefan Dohr, Momo Kodama, Anssi Karttunen
Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Conductor: Jun Märkl
Composer: Toshio Hosokawa
Audio CD (March 25, 2014)
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Naxos
ASIN: B00HX6FCK2
CATALOGUE D’OISEAUX
OLIVIER MESSIAEN (1908-1992)
Disc One
01) Le Chocard des Alpes (9:01)
02) Le Loriot (8:12)
03) Le Merle Bleu (13:11)
04) Le Traquet Stapazin (16:04)
05) La Chouette Hulotte (8:22)
06) L’Allouette Lulu (7:53)
Disc Two
07) La Rousserolle Effarvatte (30:41)
08) L’Alouette Calandrelle (5:26)
09) La Bouscarle (12:32)
Disc Three
10) Le Merle de Roche (17:46)
11) La Buse Variable (10:35)
12) Le Traquet Rieur (7:41)
13) Le Courlis Cendre (10:34)
Recording Date: February 24-26, April 16-18, 2009
Recording Location: Omitamashi Shiki Bunkakan Minole, Ibaraki, Japan
Total Time: Disc One 63:04 Disc Two 48:49 Disc Three 46:45
Octavia Records, Inc.
VINGT REGARDS SUR L’ENFANT-JESUS
OLIVIER MESSIAEN (1908-1992)
Disc One
01) Regard du Pere (7:31)
02) Regard de l’etoile (3:31)
03) L’echange (2:47)
04) Regard de la Vierge (4:40)
05) Regard du Fils sur le Fils (5:57)
06) Par Lui tout a ete fait (9:38)
07) Regard de la Croix (3:16)
08) Regard des hauteurs (2:09)
09) Regard du temps (2:37)
10) Regard de l’Esprit de joie (8:07)
Disc Two
11) Premiere communion de la Vierge (6:43)
12) La parole toute puissante (2:16)
13) Noel (4:00)
14) Regards des Anges (4:50)
15) Le baiser de l’Enfant-Jesus (11:07)
16) Regards des prophetes des bergers et des Mages (3:01)
17) Regard du silence (5:24)
18) Reagrd de l’onction terrible (6:09)
19) Je dors, mais mon Coeur veille (8:20)
20) Regard de l’eglise d’amour (11:43)
Recording Date: February 15-16, June 14-16, 2005
Recording Location: Kasakakeno Bunka Hall, Gunma, Japan
Total Time: Disc One 50:17 Disc Two 63:38
Octavia Records, Inc.
DEBUSSY IMPRESSIONS
CLAUDE ACHILLE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Children’s Corner
1) 1 Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum (2:14)
2) 2 Jimbo’s lullaby (3:45)
3) 3 Serenade for the doll (2:30)
4) 4 The Snow is dancing (2:12)
5) 5 The little shepherd (2:33)
6) 6 Golliwog’s cake-walk (2:56)
Deux Arabesques
7) 1 Andantino con moto (3:48)
8) 2 Allegretto scherzando (3:31)
Suite Bergamasque
09) 1 Prelude (4:05)
10) 2 Menuet (4:09)
11) 3 Claire de lune (5:08)
12) 4 Passepied (3:46)
13) Masques (5:06)
14) D’un cahier d’esquisses (4:24)
Estampes
15) 1 Pagodes (4:43)
16) 2 La soiree dans Grenade (5:20)
17) 3 Jardins sous la pluie (3:49)
18) La plus que lente (4:47)
19) L’isle joyeuse (6:31)
Recording Date: November 4-6, 2002
Recording Location: Nyuzen Cosmo Hall, Toyama, Japan
Total Time: 75:27
Octavia Records, Inc.
CHOPIN PIANO WORKS
FREDERIC CHOPIN (1810-1849)
1) Scherzo no.3 – Op.39:C#-minor (1839) (7:05)
2) Impromptu no.1 – Op.29: Ab-major (1839) (3:57)
3) Impromptu no.2 – Op.36: F#-major (1839) (5:30)
4) Impromptu no.3 – Op.51: Gb-major (1842) (5:33)
5) Fantasie Impromptu no.4 – Op.66: C#-minor (1834) (5:06)
3 Ecossaises Op.72-3 (Op.posth)
6) 1 in D major (1:00)
7) 2 in G major (0:45)
8) 3 in D-flat major (0:52)
Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor Op.58 (1844)
09) 1 Allegro maestoso (9:05)
10) 2 Scherzo. Molto Vivace (2:37)
11) 3 Largo (9:29)
12) 4 Finale, Presto, no tanto (5:21)
Recording Date: October 1-3, 2003
Recording Location: Kasakakeno Bunka Hall, Gunma, Japan
Total Time: 56:25
Octavia Records, Inc.
A NIGHT OF RHYTHM AND DANCE
Live from the Waldbühne, Berlin
Susan Graham
Mari Kodama
Momo Kodama
Eitetsu Hayashi
Kent Nagano Conducting
Berlin Philharmonic
Recording Live from the Waldbühne, Berlin
Format: AC-3, Classical, Color, Dolby,
DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
DVD Release Date: May 16, 2006
Total Run Time: 112 minutes
EUROARTS Studio