La Planète Quartet is one of Aki Takase's newest ensembles, arising from her partnership with the French clarinettist Louis Sclavis. Right from the start Aki Takase envisaged realising Flying Soul with an instrumental palette comprised of strings and Louis Sclavis recommended two of his long-term colleagues to her, the violinist Dominique Pifarély and the cellist Vincent Courtois.

"On Flying Soul Aki Takase manages to shape the proportions in her music – of time, space and sound – with impressive ingenuity, without restraining the sounds", writes Julia Neupert in the Liner notes. "Defying gravity, breathing freely, transforming yourself constantly: this aim has undoubtedly been achieved."

Cover art and graphic design: Jonas Schoder
Photos: Yokoi Kazue, Gérard de Haro
Liner notes: Yoko Tawada and Julia Neupert

All compositions by Aki Takase except Twelve Tone Tales by Alexander von Schlippenbach. Recorded September 6, 7, 8, 2012 at Hans Rosbaud-Studio SWR Baden-Baden. Sound engineer: Ute Hesse. Recording engineer: Manfred Seiler. Mixed February 12, 13, 14, 2013, at SWR Baden-Baden by Manfred Seiler, Aki Takase and Patrik Landolt.