explores the music of Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996). Largely self-taught as a composer, Takemitsu was prolific, writing hundreds of works -chamber music, choral, orchestral, electroacoustic- and over ninety film scores. Early on, he was influenced by the European avant-garde -an important influence was the French composer Olivier Messiaen. At first, Takemitsu shunned traditional Japanese music, but his thinking evolved, and inspired by John Cage and his interest in Zen, by the early 1960s Takemitsu was writing for Japanese instruments: the biwa, shakuhachi, and gagaku orchestra -at times alone- and at times along with Western instruments. The melding of Japanese aesthetics with European modernism became a hallmark of Takemitsu's music. Tonight's program will feature early examples of music contrète, compositions for biwa and for gagaku, film music, and an orchestral work dedicated to Morton Feldman.
A Different Nature playlist for October 22, 2018 /// Music of Toru Takemitsu
1. Sky, Horse and Death (for tape, 1958) (3:24) from: Experimental Music of Japan(1957-1967)
2. Ki, Sora, Tor i(Tree, Sky, Bird-for tape, 1956) (3:31) from: Concert: 20-21(ECJC, 2000)
3. Static Relief (for tape, 1955) (6:27) [youtube]
4. Clap Vocalism (for tape, 1956) (1:40) from: Concert: 20-21(ECJC, 2000)
5. Water Music(for tape, 1960) (9:40) [youtube]
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6. Voyage(Kinshi Tsuata, biwa) (15:30) from: In an Autumn Garden[Deutsche Grammophon]
7. In an Autumn Garden(14:23) performed by Tokyo Gakuso Orchestra - from: In an Autumn Garden[Varese Sarabande/JVC]
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8. Kwaidan(music for the 1964 film by Masaki Kobayashi) (27:18) from: Film Music by Toru Takemitsu, vol. 1[JVC]
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9. Gitimalya(15:09) Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Hiroyuki Iwaki; featuring Michiko Takahashi, marimba - from: Winter / Marginalia /Gitimalya[Varese Sarabande/JVC]
10. Twill By Twilight[In Memory of Morton Feldman] (12:43) London Sinfonietta, Oliver Knudson - from: Quotation Of Dream[Deutsche Grammophon]
Here are some online resources for further inormation about Toru Takemitsu:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-toru-takemitsu-132030...
https://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2013/feb/11/contemporar...
https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/21/arts/toru-takemitsu-65-introspective-...
- KBOO