French influences run through the piano music of Mutsuo Shishido (1929 - 2007). From his early years in a French-based school in Japan, to his later studies in Paris with Andre Jolivet (1905 - 1974) and Olivier Messiaen (1908 - 1992). Returning to Japan in 1961, Shisido became fascinated by regional Folk themes and sought to incorporate them into his compositions.

Aside from his Suite De Danses Pour Piano, of 1957, Shishido's remaining piano works - all World Premiere Recordings on this MSR Classics disc - date from his return to Japan. With a playing time of just under fifty minutes his collected piano works are not extensive - Two Sonatas, a Suite Pour Le Clavier and some descriptive pieces.

It is very easy to imagine these beautiful pieces flowing out of Ravel's imagination had he lived into the 1960s. Akina Yura is a wonderful guide to the sound-world that Mutsuo Shishido created. There is little surprise in learning that her disc is making musical waves in Japan!