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Though often misunderstood in the West, the works of Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996) deserve attention beyond their native land. Although he wrote most of his music for Western instruments in international contemporary concert style, to be played by performers trained in the European musical tradition, lists and scores of his music have been difficult to obtain. Designed for use by musicians, scholars, and program directors who need compact, understandable information on Takemitsu, but who are unfamiliar with Japanese language and music, this bio-bibliography--including sections on his works, performances, films scores, recordings, and writings--will be invaluable to musicians, scholars, journalists, and music directors alike.
The annotations of the entries are especially useful in determining answers to such questions as what instruments are needed to perform a piece, what should be said about a film or composition in a program note, what analysis or interpretation of a work is appropriate or has been done before, and what Takemitsu himself has said or written about each work. Siddon's fully cross-referenced volume offers information on approximately 150 compositions, 100 film scores, 250 audio recordings, and 500 bibliographical items, while the biography places the composer's life in the milieu of post-Pacific War Japan and contemporary music in Japan, Europe, and the United States.
List of contents
Foreword
Maegaki (Foreword in Japanese)
Biography
Works and Performances
List of Film Scores
Discography
Bibliography
Index
Profile of the Author
About the author
JAMES SIDDONS is a Methodist minister in Virginia, and is active as a composer and author. His website is www.JamesSiddons.com. He is the author of five books, including
Anthony Milner: A Bio-Bibliography (Greenwood, 1989), and has contributed to
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
Summary
A guide to the compositions, recordings, film scores, books and articles of Japan's leading 20th century composer.
