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[Ryuichi Sakamoto] Piano Works | A Selection of Moving and Healing Masterpieces

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Ryuichi Sakamoto—known worldwide as “Sakamoto” and affectionately as “the Professor”—effortlessly crossed genre boundaries, from film scores to experimental sounds.

Among his vast body of work, pieces centered on the piano shine with a special brilliance.

Their melodies, with each note quietly seeping into the heart, seem to have the power to make us momentarily forget the clamor of everyday life.

In this article, we’ve selected a wide range of tracks—from beloved favorites to hidden gems known only to connoisseurs.

Take your time and savor these piano works, which reveal new emotions every time you listen.

[Ryuichi Sakamoto] Piano Works | A Curated Selection of Moving and Soothing Masterpieces (21–30)

IntermezzoSakamoto Ryuichi

intermezzo

IntermezzoSakamoto Ryuichi

Ryuichi Sakamoto continued to create original works across a wide range of genres, including classical, folk music, and technopop.

“Intermezzo,” included on the album BTTB, is a piece known for evoking the spirit of Johannes Brahms’s Intermezzi, with Sakamoto’s own interpretations and inventive touches shining throughout.

Sakamoto, who said he had loved Brahms’s musicality since childhood, produced global hits in technopop, yet this masterpiece rooted in classical music is also a must-listen.

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AmoreSakamoto Ryuichi

Amore

AmoreSakamoto Ryuichi

“Amore,” a track on Ryuichi Sakamoto’s 1989 original album Beauty, is a piece that adds vocals and electric guitar to a track that was originally released under the title “Undo.” When he played it for Jeremy Thomas, the British film producer known for The Last Emperor, Thomas started singing along with the words “Amore, amore,” which led to the decision that “it’s definitely better with lyrics!” and the vocals were added.

The piano solo version, whose bittersweetness really tugs at the heart, is also wonderful—be sure to give it a listen!

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In conclusion

Sakamoto’s piano pieces span a deep and rich world, from popular tunes anyone can hum to hidden gems that unexpectedly capture the heart. The delicate emotions embedded in each melody reveal different facets every time you listen. If a particular work catches your interest, take a quiet moment to listen closely. You’re sure to discover a new favorite track.