The Strad: Anne Akiko Meyers on traditional Japanese songs

The Strad
Interview by Christian Lloyd

A brace of traditional songs from Japan bring back fond memories and inspire a wealth of interpretations for the American violinist.

“My grandmother’s favourite piece of music in the world was a Japanese song called Kōjō no Tsuki. I first heard it when I was a teenager and I understood straight away why she loved it so much; it’s a hauntingly beautiful, nostalgic piece that has an infinite amount of soulfulness and poetry within it.

I’ve always associated it with memories of my grandmother; when she heard me playing it in the house, or in my hotel room while I was touring, it would always move her to tears – and when I hear it now I find it very hard not to cry as well.”

Read more of the interview here.