Composer · Post-War · 1930–1996
Toru Takemitsu
Japanese composer and writer (1930–1996).
Biography
Tōru Takemitsu (武満 徹; pronounced [takeꜜmitsɯ̥ toːɾɯ]; 8 October 1930 – 20 February 1996) was a Japanese composer of contemporary classical music and writer on music. Largely self-taught, Takemitsu was admired for his subtle manipulation of instrumental and orchestral timbre.
In his early years, Takemitsu was also a founding member of the Jikken Kōbō (実験工房, experimental workshop) in Japan, a group of avant-garde artists who distanced themselves from academia and whose collaborative work is often regarded among the most influential of the 20th century.
His 1957 Requiem for string orchestra attracted international attention, led to several commissions from across the world and established his reputation as the leading 20th-century Japanese composer. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honours and founded the Toru Takemitsu Composition Award.
Text adapted from the Wikipedia article “Tōru Takemitsu”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Works with clarinet
- Quatrain, for clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and orchestra
- Rain Spell, for flute, clarinet, harp, piano, and vibraphone
Works with flute
- Air for solo flute
- And Then I Knew 'Twas Wind, for flute, viola, and harp
- Bryce, for flute, 2 harps, and 2 percussionists
- Eucalypts 1, for flute, oboe, harp, and strings
- Eucalypts 2, for flute, oboe, and harp
- I Hear the Water Dreaming, for flute and orchestra
- Itinerant, for flute
- Rain Spell, for flute, clarinet, harp, piano, and vibraphone
- Ring, for flute, terzguitar, and lute
- Sacrifice, for alto flute, lute, vibraphone, and cymbals
- Toward the Sea I, for alto flute and guitar
- Toward the Sea III, for alto flute and harp
- Toward the Sea no. 1, for alto flute and guitar
- Toward the Sea no. 2, for alto flute, harp and strings
- Valeria, for 2 piccolos, violin, cello, guitar, and electric organ
- Voice, for solo flute
Works with oboe
- Gémeaux (2000)
- Distance, for oboe and sho ad lib
- Eucalypts 1, for flute, oboe, harp, and strings
- Eucalypts 2, for flute, oboe, and harp