SYMPHONIC FURY! The Music of Japanese Monsters!

The Symphonic Fury CD set has been released, and thanks to conductor John DeSentis, I have received a copy. Symphonic Fury was an enormously successful concert held in Chicago's Pickwick Theater in July 2015. The first part of the concert featured a live performance of Kow Otani's music from all three of the Heisei Gamera series films as well as GMK (2001). Kow Otani himself was in the audience for this performance. The second half of the concert focused on Akira Ifukube's works, specifically Kishi Mai (1943) and Symphonic Fantasias No. 1-3 (1983). The CD set also contains a booklet that features John DeSentis' full-length interview with Kow Otani.

Want some Symphonic Fury stuff? Here's how to get it!

Just like the Ifukube 100 concert in 2014, this is another amazing performance. John DeSentis once again worked tirelessly to hire, organize, and lead a full orchestra to perform some classic kaiju compositions. Erik Homenick of AkiraIfukube.org was instrumental (no pun intended) in providing information and material to the effort. These concerts are the first of their kind in the U.S., and it's easy to see why they have quickly become a fan favorite.

Symphonic Fury/Ifukube 100 CDs and swag are available, and if you're interested in supporting a fan-oriented group that offers professional services and a product worthy of support (trust me, there aren't many around), please consider purchasing some items. 

John DeSentis knocks it out of the park again. Full marks!

THE MAESTRO'S HOUSE! Stopping by the Former Home of Composer Akira Ifukube!

The front entrance of the former home of the late composer Akira Ifukube. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Thanks to a tip from the webmaster of Akira Ifukube.org, I was able to pay a visit to the home of Maestro Ifukube and take some photos. Naturally, I wasn't actually able to enter the home, but just to view an important piece of musical history from the outside was quite impressive.

As it turns out, the house still stands in a neighborhood that's not too far from where I live. Currently, plans are under way to sell the house and tear it down, so it may not exist for much longer.

If and when that happens, a big piece of musical history will go with it, but at least the house has been documented in photos, especially on Akira Ifukube.org. Stay tuned to the official English-language Ifukube site for any further updates.

GODZILLA VS. GAMERA! How You Can Make the Long-Awaited Showdown Happen!

John DeSentis and friends (including the late Koichi Kawakita) at G-FEST last summer. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Composer/Godzilla fan John DeSentis plans to do it again, and in true kaiju eiga spirit, his plans are even bigger than before! John has launched a new Kickstarter campaign to bring Godzilla and Gamera music to the Pickwick Theater this July!

John DeSentis, Erik Homenick, and Chris Oglio celebrate after a successful concert in 2014.

Entitled "Symphonic Fury! The Music of Japanese Monsters," Akira Ifukube's classic Symphonic Fantasia will join the first-ever live concert of Ko Otani's Gamera trilogy score. If enough funds are raised, Otani-san himself plans to attend the concert live and in person!

Donate to the Kickstarter and help make music (and kaiju) history!