Ancient and new music for Japanese traditional Gagaku instruments (ryuteki, hichiriki & ohichiriki, sho & u)

BIO
Introducing SANKAN: The Gagaku Trio Redefining Ancient Japanese Sound

Step into a world where centuries-old tradition meets bold contemporary artistry with Sankan, a gagaku trio featuring Lish Lindsey (ryuteki), Thomas Piercy (hichiriki, ohichiriki), and Fabio Rambelli (shō, u). Sankan brings to life the ethereal soundscape of Japan’s imperial court music—gagaku—through both traditional masterpieces and innovative new works composed especially for the ensemble.

Gagaku, the revered music of Japan’s imperial courts, is rarely heard outside its homeland. At the heart of this tradition are three iconic wind instruments: the ryuteki (transverse flute), hichiriki/ohichiriki (double reed), and shō/u (mouth organ). Each Sankan member has honed their craft through intensive gagaku study in Japan, mastering the subtle artistry and expressive depth that define this ancient repertoire. Sankan’s performances are a rare opportunity for international audiences and presenters. Their concerts feature a dynamic mix of traditional gagaku pieces and contemporary compositions—including works from their acclaimed debut CD, New Heritage. Every program is thoughtfully curated to highlight the haunting beauty and expressive range of these instruments, offering a mesmerizing journey from the imperial courts of the past to the creative frontiers of today.

Whether you are a presenter seeking an unforgettable concert experience or an audience member eager to discover the living legacy of gagaku, Sankan promise performances that is both a celebration of tradition and a showcase for innovation.
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Experience the haunting beauty of gagaku instruments and witness the evolution of this ancient art form in compositions. The trio emphasizes the significance of their events as “concerts respecting tradition and embracing innovation - an extraordinary opportunity for audiences to experience the ethereal sounds of gagaku instruments in both a traditional and a contemporary context."

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VIDEOS

Bairo (陪臚)
LISH LINDSEY ~ ryuteki, 龍笛
THOMAS PIERCY ~ hichiriki, 篳篥
FABIO RAMBELLI ~ sho, 笙
This is a performance of Bairo by three musicians: a sho, a ryuteki, and a hichiriki. Bairo is said to have been performed by Prince Shotoku before he went off to battle. The sho represents the light shining down from the heavens, the ryuteki represents the voice of a dragon swimming between heaven and earth, and the hichiriki represents the voice of a person on earth. April 26, 2025. Martha Graham Studio Theater.  New York City

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MASATORA GOYA "鬼火"  “Onibi” for ryuteki, hichiriki, and sho (2022)
LISH LINDSEY ~ ryuteki, 龍笛
THOMAS PIERCY ~ hichiriki, 篳篥
FABIO RAMBELLI ~ sho, 笙
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April 26, 2025. Martha Graham Studio Theater.  New York City
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FABIO RAMBELLI "Ricercare" for ryuteki, hichiriki, and sho
LISH LINDSEY ~ ryuteki, 龍笛
THOMAS PIERCY ~ hichiriki, 篳篥
FABIO RAMBELLI ~ sho, 笙
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From Edgetone Records "New Heritage" CD https://www.edgetonerecords.com/catalog/4238.html​
This album is the result of an intercontinental collaboration between three musicians united by their love of classical Japanese Gagaku and its possibilities in terms of new music. New Heritage includes some of the earliest contemporary compositions for Gagaku instruments, the two Sonatas by Alan Hovhaness, exciting new music by Masatora Goya and Fabio Rambelli, and an astonishing rendition of Julius Eastman’s Buddha in an adaptation for double woodwind trio. This is the world premiere recording of all these compositions.

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CONTACT
Email: [email protected]