The original soundtrack Vol. 2 of NHK’s historical drama “Berabou: Tsuta Shige Eikano Yume no Yume no,” which began airing in January 2025, will be released on June 25th.
The music is John Gram, from Virginia, USA, who also composed the music for the Taiga drama “Kirin ga Koku” (2020).
John Gram commented, “I composed the music with the consciousness of all stories resonating in a swirling way” (excerpt from the Liner Notes), and the multilayered narrative structure and the turbulent life of Tsutaya Josaburo (starring Yokohama Ryusei), also known as Tsutaya Josaburo (starring Yokohama Ryusei), is captivated by the music that ties me to me.
It contains a total of 20 songs, and the final track, “Berabo Journey II,” features LEO, a young talent who pursues the new charm of the koto.
◆Profile
John Gram (Composer)
Born in Virginia, USA.
Graduated from Williams College and Stanford University.
From a young age, he grew up in an environment surrounded by books and art, under the parents of a university professor.
He has a deep love for literature, history and art, and is familiar with the music of Beethoven and Stravinsky.
While admiring the literary works of Henry Fielding and George Orwell, he lives an energetic student life, playing the saxophone, singing in a band, and listening to music at loud volumes.
The source of his creation is the source of all life events, including the small daily happiness, the joys of love, the conflicts of raising children, the hustle and bustle of work, and his belief in creating music that directs stories from a different perspective.
His representative works include the NHK Taiga drama “Kirin ga Kuru,” the film “Royal Treatment,” “Kings Grave Final Fantasy XV,” and the game “Devil May Cry 5.”
“Berabo Journey II”
LEO (Koto)
At the age of nine, he studied under the koto and under Curtis Patterson and Sawai Kazue.
At the age of 16, he was the youngest person in history to win the Kumamoto National Japanese Music Competition.
He has performed with Sebastian Weigle, Inoue Michiyoshi, Suzuki Yuto, Okizawa Nodoka, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kyoto City Symphony Orchestra, and more.
He has appeared in “Joten Tairiku,” “Untitled Concerts,” and “Tetsuko’s Room.”
This is the first koto player to hold a live performance at Blue Note Tokyo.
He also attracted attention for making an unusual appearance on SUMMER SONIC.
In 2024, he was invited to Vienna and Slovakia, giving great performances.
He has been awarded the Idemitsu Music Award, the Kanagawa Cultural Award Future Award, and the Yokohama Cultural Award Culture and Art Encouragement Award.
◆Release information
・CD
Released on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025
Taiga drama “Berabou ~ Tsutajuei Gano Dream Story”
Original Soundtrack Vol. 2
Music John Glam
Product number: COCP-42503
Price: 3,500 yen (tax included)
◆Contents
01 Unshakable will
02 Life-saving
03 The Light of Freedom
04 A big battle
05 Mumeiji
06 A moment
07 Pleasure Complaint
08 Freedom
09 Burning heart
10 The heartbeat of Edo
11 Tokugawa Osamu
12 What is the truth?
13 Flying
14 The captive thread
15 Sunrise
16 A twist
17 The End of Sorrow
18 The indomitable soul
19 Tanuma Ichiji
20 Berabo Journey II feat. LEO (Koto)
◆Product website
Nippon Columbia
◆Program information
Taiga drama “Berabou ~Tsuta Shige Eikano Yume Story”
Written by: Morishita Yoshiko
Music: John Gram
Music producer: Bikou Tomo
Title: Ishikawa Kuyo
Narration (Kurosuke Inari): Ayase Haruka
Cast: Yokohama Ryusei, Sometani Shota, Fukuhara Haruka, Kiritani Kenta, Miyazawa Hio, Satomi Kotaro, Watanabe Ken, and others
Production Director: Fujinami Hideki, Ishimura Shota
Directed by: Ohara Taku, Fukagawa Takashi, Kotani Takayoshi, Oshima Keisuke and others
Producers: Matsuda Yasunori, Fujiwara Takahisa, Seida Yuki
Audio Supervisor: Sasaki Atsushi
Sound Design: Takeda Fumi, Ito Shunpei
Produced by: NHK
