Celia’s Biography Kono Toki O Ikiru (“Seize the Moment!”)

Published by Soshinsha

© 2000 Tsutomu Sugiura

Available online

at Amazon

On the album:

The Wind (Japan)

Hakeev Betochenu ("The Pain Within Us") (Jewish)

Nada Hati ("Sounds of the Heart") (Indonesia)

The Prayer (Japan)

Tevorchu ("Be Blessed") (Jewish)

Tempatku Berlindung ("My Home") (Indonesia)

Good Night, Good Night (Japan )

Purity (Japan Crown Records: CRCI 20330) is available in Japan at Amazon, HMV, Tower Records, Yamano Music,Virgin and other leading record stores, or by sending a request to: sales@puritycompany.com

Available online

at HMV

Sei Shou Ten: Purity, Honesty and Hope

Through your life, give the world new life.

Celia’s newest CD album, Sei Shou Ten: Purity, Honesty, and Hope,epitomizes the values to which Celia has aspired throughout her life.

Sei Shou Ten: Purity, Honesty, and Hope is a kaleidoscope of the manifold musical and cultural influences in Celia's life. Deep, layered, exotic, it is also intimate and accessible, because its spiritual roots are universal. Celia's message is pure, honest and full of hope: "Value your life — your only one — and through your life give the world new life."

On the album:

Sei Shou Ten: Purity, Honesty and Hope

Me

Bengawan Solo (River of Solo)

Kyoushuu II

Halicha Le Kesariya (Stroll Along Caesarea Strand)

Children of the World

Sei Shou Ten (Japan Crown Records: CRCI 20486) is available in Japan at Amazon, HMV, Tower Records, Yamano Music, Virgin and other leading record stores, or by sending a request to: sales@puritycompany.com

Available online

at HMV

© 2003 Shunichi Mikura

Klila Bracha is the third of a trilogy of albums that tell the story of Celia's life and soul in music. Each album represents the music, culture and spirit of the Indonesian, Japanese and Jewish influences on my life. Her first album, Purity, followed her life from Indonesia to Japan, and the beginning of her spiritual journey in pursuit of purity within herself and her music. Her second album, Purity, Honesty and Hope, epitomized these values to which she has always aspired.

"Klila Bracha is a meditation on the lessons in thoughtfulness, love, appreciation, trust and humility I have learned from all those I have met on my journey. I hope you will be touched by these same qualities through my music."

On the album:

Generosity

Saat Ini ("Seize the Moment")

The Moon Over the Castle

Respect

Klila Bracha

Life is Like a Candle

"Empty" for Reyong & Kotsuzumi

Sea: A Kaleidoscope

Thought and Thoughtfulness

Klila Bracha (Purity Records: PCLR-2003) is available worldwide by sending a request to: sales@puritycompany.com.

On the album:

Dunia Hanya Satu (“One World”)

“Nagomi” for 15-string O-koto and Kendang

Ke’ev, Tikva Leshalom Ve’emuna (“Pain, Hope for Peace and Faith”)

Dunia Hanya Satu (“karaoke” version)

Ke’ev, Tikva Leshalom Ve’emuna (“karaoke” version)

Ke’ev, Tikva Leshalom Ve’emuna (special track)

Celia: A Profile

Born in Indonesia, a resident of Japan for many years and a convert to Judaism, Celia's music merges the diverse cultural and spiritual streams flowing through her life. Through her music Celia seeks to erase the boundaries of musical genre, compositional form and national origin.

Celia Dunkelman grew up in Indonesia surrounded by music. Forgoing formal education, Celia began performing professionally at the age of nine, when Wesley Church engaged her as their chief organist.

In 1978 Celia won the Grand Prize at the Indonesia Electone Festival, and embarked on a succession of television and concert appearances.

Her longing to grow musically and her close relationship with Japan led to a Yamaha Foundation scholarship in 1979 to study in Japan, and later at Shobi Conservatoire - her first experience in a formal educational setting. Upon graduation, Celia joined the faculty of the Tokyo Conservatoire Shobi. Subsequently Celia renewed her interest in an area that had long fascinated her, Japanese classical music, eventually completing a graduate dissertation on Kabuki music.

Marriage to an American Jew in 1983 brought Celia's first exposure to what was to become a lifetime passion, Jewish popular and liturgical music.

Celia's profound interest in Jewish music led in 1992 to a relationship with the Embassy of the State of Israel in Japan, for which she is now musical director for state functions.

In 1995 Celia began performing with Satomi Fukami, one of Japan's most renowned O-koto artists. The relationship proved enormously popular, and the pair continue to appear frequently on stage together.

In 1997 Celia established Purity Co., Ltd., which produced her first album "Purity" (CRCI 20330) released nationwide by Japan Crown Records in February 1998, second album, "Sei Shou Ten: Purity, Honesty, and Hope" (CRCI-20486) in September 2000, and third album "Klila Bracha" (PCLR-2003) in November 2003.

Celia continues to work closely with students from abroad, in addition to composing, arranging and performing inside and outside Japan.

A Message from the Embassy of Israel

The Embassy of Israel is delighted to have an opportunity to convey our enthusiasm for Celia Dunkelman, someone very dear to us.

The Embassy considers itself fortunate to have had Celia perform for us over the past six years. For us, hearing Celia play is always a profound and moving experience; one that embodies the essence of what it means to be a Jew.

It is all the more startling to see ourselves reflected in the music of an artist with a background and culture so different from our own. No doubt it is this unique background that informs her music, and transforms her performances into a bridge between people and nations.

On behalf of the Embassy of Israel I wish to offer our full support and encouragement to Celia in bringing the joy of her music to as wide an audience as possible.

With warm personal regards,
 
 

Chaim Chosen

Counselor

Information & Public Affairs
 
 

A Message from the Embassy of Indonesia

On behalf of the Embassy of Indonesia and other Indonesian friends, I wish to congratulate and warmly welcome your long-waited second album, Sei Shou Ten: Purity, Honesty, and Hope.

Like your first album, Purity, your new compositions are indeed a vivid reflection of your successful efforts in combining the pure musical feeling of Indonesian and Japanese culture, into a new transition in music. Apart from your talented skill and passion for music, your relentless devotion in nurturing both cultures has resulted in harmony, and has undoubtedly played a great part in your endeavours. The mixture of both traditional tones, majestically arranged, has been able to create a unifying emotion for all.

I am sure your music will enrich our cultural relationship and will transcend into a future, whereby boundaries are crossed and intertwined.

I wish you every success and looking forward to your endless musical creations.

With best regards,

Syahri Sakidin

Counselor

Celia’s Career Highlights

1969-75 Performed at Wesley Church

1974-77 Performed at the Japanese Consulate in Sumatra for Emperor’s Birthday

1978 Grand Prize, Indonesia Electone Festival

1979 Produced recording with Gesang, one of the giants of Indonesian music and composer of "Bengawan Solo"

1979-84 Frequent performances in Tokyo

1986-2000 Faculty, Tokyo Music & Media Arts Shobi

1988 First ethnic fusion concert "Sounds of the Heart I"

1990 Various concerts overseas

1991 "Sounds of the Heart II" Concert

1992 to present Performer at state functions, Embassy of Israel in Japan

1994 "Sounds of the Heart III" Concert

1996 Debut as a lyricist (in Cantonese) on "Binetsu" on the Bandai recording label · First of many performances with one of Japan's most renowned O-koto artists, Satomi Fukami

1997 Purity Co., Ltd. established · Created the Indonesian Cultural Exchange Symphony

1998 First album, "Purity," released in Japan by Nippon Crown Records · Recital at Tokyo FM Hall · Performed for Her Highness Princess Hanako at a Japan-Israel Women's Welfare Organization charity function · Regular performer at Valentine's jazz club · 11 concerts and dozens of lectures throughout Japan

1999 Board member, Indonesian Embassy Culture Center Project · Recital at Tokyo FM Hall · "Sounds of the Heart IV" Concert · Performances for the Indonesian Arts & Culture Festival, Japan Public School System cultural educational program, international diplomatic corps functions at various embassies in Tokyo · Concerts and lectures throughout Japan.

2000 Performance at National Panasonic Gobel's 30th Anniversary in Jakarta · Second album "Sei Shou Ten: Purity, Honesty, and Hope" (CRCI-20486) released in Japan · Recital at Tokyo FM Hall · Indonesian Cultural Exchange Symphony Concert

2001 Celia's biography entitled Kono Toki O Ikiru ("Seize the Moment!") published by Soshinsha · Established "Celia’s Society from the Heart" charity foundation · Created "Yume-Irama" Concert · Recital at Tokyo FM Hall · Invited guest and performer at birthday celebrations for "Bengawan Solo" composer Gesang in Solo, Indonesia · Created world's first 15 string O-Koto (crafted by Gomi Wagakiten)

2002 Indonesian Cultural Exchange Symphony Concert · "Celia’s Society from the Heart" charity banquet · Recital at Tokyo FM Hall · "It’s Saturday Night Live - Ethnic Fusion" at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan

2003 "Celia’s Society from the Heart" charity banquet · 20th Anniversary of VP Squadron 6 · Performance at the Japanese National Theater · Recital at Tokyo FM Hall · Recital at Tokyo FM Hall · Indonesian Cultural Exchange Symphony Concert · "Klila Bracha" (PCLR-2003) released on Purity Records

2004 Guest on NHK Radio program “Sunset Park” • One World Charity Concert, Bazaar and Reception • "Celia Dunkelman Charity Concert 2004" at Mangkunagaran Pendopo Agung Palace in Solo • Recital at Tokyo FM Hall

2005 Performed “Amurita” at 6th Traditional Japanese Music & Dance Festival in Chiba • “Celia’s Society from the Heart” banquet in honor of Photographer Nobuo Ikegami • Salon Concert “Indonesia-Japan-Israel Ethnic Fusion” at the Residence of Israeli Ambassador • Recital at Tokyo FM Hall (November 12)

2006 Created “Japan Israel Ladies Circle (JILC)” • One World Charity Spring Event 2006 at the Residence of Israeli Ambassador • “Itsukushimi” (PCLR-2006) CD Album released on November 11• Recital at Tokyo FM Hall (November 11)

What the Critics in Japan Say

"Celia paints with the broad strokes of an artist of enormous depth and range in musical genres. Her music seems to emerge from a single point deep within her and slowly, powerfully expand into limitless space. A truly uplifting experience."

- Ei Nonaka, CD Journal

"Celia's music is not only a bridge between cultures, it is a bridge between musical ages. The classical music of Japan enters the modern era as she merges "high tech" and "trad tech."

- Shigeru Morita, formerly of NHK

"A world-renown artist, born in Indonesia and a resident of Japan for 20 years, Celia presents a unique and multifaceted musical vision."

- Asahi Evening News

"Celia has invented a new art form the uniqueness and emotional power of her message transcends the confines of traditional music."

- Mayusa Oda, Japanese Traditional Music Magazine

What the Critics in Indonesia Say

Words and Music by Purity Company

We provide the words. . .

Purity Company provides online proofreading and translation (Japanese to/from English), copywriting and editing solutions for every business need, from letters, newsletters, promotional videos and presentations to Web site content.

In the field of education Purity provides English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching, syllabus design and curriculum development services.

. . .and the music.

Purity Company produces concerts, multimedia for events and the CD albums of ethnic fusion artist Celia Dunkelman.

Our clients include: Yazaki Group, Clarion Co., Ltd., Japan Association of Travel Agents, Autobacs, Japan Crown Records, Kumon Institute of Education, Dentsu, Yomiko, National Panasonic, Japan Automotive News, Embassy of Israel in Japan, Embassy of Indonesia in Japan, Tokyo News Service, Tokyo Metropolitan Public School System, Gregg International, English Language Education Council and many others.

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