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There are many parallels between Stravinsky’s tale and Kevin Lau’s Kimiko’s Pearl, a ballet developed in conjunction with Bravo Niagara in 2024, now available on CD (BNCD001 kimikospearl.com). The story is centred around the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War and, like the Stravinsky, also uses minimal instrumental forces: harp (Mariko Anraku), violin (Conrad Chow), Japanese and Western flutes (Ron Korb) and cello (Rachel Mercer). 

Founded in 2014 by mother-daughter duo Christine Mori and Alexis Spieldenner, Bravo Niagara is based in Niagara-on-the-Lake and dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through the arts. Lau says Mori and Spieldenner’s family experience of the Japanese Canadian internment inspired the narrative with its encompassing of universal themes: love, devastation, grief, resilience, and the reclamation of identity. Based on a story by Howard Reich, four generations of the Ayukawa family are represented from the great-grandfather’s arrival in Canada in 1917 through to 15-year-old Kimiko’s discovery of a mysterious trunk in their basement in Toronto a century later. There are some magical moments, such as when an antique radio broadcasts news of the Second World War, along with a wedding dress, a pearl ring and the diary also found in the trunk that help bring the family story to life for Kimiko. 

The Ayukawa family trunk, currently in the collection of the Canadian War Museum, is a real artifact built by Shizuo Ayukawa in the New Denver internment camp in British Columbia. Kimiko’s Pearl reflects the tragedies, triumphs and perseverance of Japanese Canadians before, during and after the internment they endured during WWII. A parable particularly relevant today, it attests to heroism and hope in the face of racism and intolerance. 

Lau’s lush yet crystalline score is brilliantly realized by the quartet of musicians with supplemental sound design aspects (including taiko drums and other enhancements) developed by Aaron Tsang. The CD booklet is beautifully illustrated with stunning photos from the stage production. It includes a detailed synopsis of each of the eight scenes and biographies of all involved. It’s easy to see why this very impressive package has received two JUNO-nominations, for Classical Album of the Year (small ensemble) and Classical Composition of Year.

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Limited-edition double vinyl available at www.kimikospearl.com