Random artist - Markus Schulz feat. Dauby
Artist Markus Schulz feat. Dauby
Markus Schulz feat. Dauby
View Biography


Our Statistics:
Albums: 1
Songs: 4
Search:

Toru Takemitsu

Home > Browse Artists > Toru Takemitsu

Toru Takemitsu Biography

Toru Takemitsu (1931-1996) was a self-taught Japanese composer who combined elements of Eastern and Western music and philosophy to create a unique sound world. Some of his early influences were the sonorities of Debussy, and Messiaen's use of nature imagery and modal scales. There is a certain influence of Webern in Takemitsu's use of silence, and Cage in his compositional philosophy, but his overall style is uniquely his own. Takemitsu believed in music as a means of ordering or contextualizing everyday sound in order to make it meaningful or comprehensible. His philosophy of "sound as life" lay behind his incorporation of natural sounds, as well as his desire to juxtapose and reconcile opposing elements such as Orient and Occident, sound and silence, and tradition and innovation. From the beginning, Takemitsu wrote highly experimental music involving improvisation, graphic notation, unusual combinations of instruments and recorded sounds. The result is music of great beauty and originality. It is usually slowly paced and quiet, but also capable of great intensity. The variety, quantity and consistency of Takemitsu's output are remarkable considering that he never worked within any kind of conventional framework or genre. In addition to the several hundred independent works of music, he scored over ninety films and published twenty books.

Takemitsu had no important teachers, and his musical career really began with the formation of the Jikken Kobo (Experimental Workshop) to promote and perform mixed-media art works. It was Stravinsky's acclaim of the Requiem for strings in 1959 that launched Takemitsu's international career. The next few years produced a wide variety of works including Takemitsu's prolific film work, and numerous new music concerts and festivals that culminated in 1967 with a commission for the 125th anniversary of the New York Philharmonic. By this time, Takemitsu had begun using traditional Japanese instruments in his music. November Steps is one of his most successful combinations of Eastern and Western music; Takemitsu's style was created from, and rooted in both. Takemitsu's international fame skyrocketed after this premiere, flooding him with commissions and honors that established him as one of the most influential Japanese composers of the century.

Biography by allmusic.com

All abums by Toru Takemitsu
Cover Album title Year Tracks User rating Preview
Album: Toru Takemitsu: Between Tides and Other Chamber Music | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Toru Takemitsu: Between Tides and Other Chamber Music 2001 12
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Toru Takemitsu: Between Tides and Other Chamber Music by Toru Takemitsu
Album: How Slow The Wind | Artist: Toru Takemitsu How Slow The Wind 2000 1
0,0 / 0 votes
View album How Slow The Wind by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Takemitsu: I Hear the Water Dreaming | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Takemitsu: I Hear the Water Dreaming 2000 13
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Takemitsu: I Hear the Water Dreaming by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Quotation of dream | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Quotation of dream 1999 7
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Quotation of dream by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Orchestral Works | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Orchestral Works 1998 3
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Orchestral Works by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Riverrun - Water-Ways | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Riverrun - Water-Ways 1991 5
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Riverrun - Water-Ways by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Viola Concerto - November Steps - Eclipse | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Viola Concerto - November Steps - Eclipse 1991 3
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Viola Concerto - November Steps - Eclipse by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Ran | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Ran 1985 2
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Ran by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Gagaku - In an Autumn Garden (Complete) | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Gagaku - In an Autumn Garden (Complete)   6
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Gagaku - In an Autumn Garden (Complete) by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Garden Rain | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Garden Rain   13
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Garden Rain by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Musing Zone II | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Musing Zone II   10
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Musing Zone II by Toru Takemitsu
Album: The Best of Toru Takemitsu | Artist: Toru Takemitsu The Best of Toru Takemitsu   5
0,0 / 0 votes
View album The Best of Toru Takemitsu by Toru Takemitsu
Album: Works for Flute and Guitar | Artist: Toru Takemitsu Works for Flute and Guitar   18
0,0 / 0 votes
View album Works for Flute and Guitar by Toru Takemitsu

User comments to this artist

Write a comment

eyzsL4 <a href="http://kigujnoeqkzq.com/">kigujnoeqkzq</a>,
[url=http://bvzxzbqkflas.com/]bvzxzbqkflas[/url],
[link=http://jjtywbqltarx.com/]jjtywbqltarx[/link], http://rxucnwihzqeu.com/

Posted on 23 November 2008 at 2:26 | Permanent link

comment5, potato doughnut recipe, aej, pussy pussy pusssy, 290, marathon realty, 8-))),
mee bandung muar, >:-))), nato alphabet communications, 51395, nate christianson,
=PPP, mary kay nail petal pink, =O, protek 608, zki, lucy rigg, 48005, purpleheart
wood, 286803, newmark homes san antonio, 04304, ligustrum vulgare, xdvwgj, mat and nat,
4396,

Posted on 18 November 2008 at 9:06 | Permanent link
Discuss artist: Toru Takemitsu
Your Name (required)
If you see this input, please, don't fill it
Your Email (required - will not be published) Your Homepage (optional) Your Comment (required)