[Toru Takemitsu's Piano Pieces] A Select Collection of Exquisite Masterworks Left by the World-Renowned Takemitsu
Born in 1930, Toru Takemitsu continued composing despite the turmoil of war and etched his name in history as one of Japan’s leading contemporary composers.
His avant-garde music, which seems to symbolize a world swirled with anxiety, is complex yet brimming with a mysterious allure that grips the heart.
In this article, we’ve selected from “Takemitsu of the world” a number of masterpieces for solo piano and works beloved in piano arrangements.
We will introduce them along with the background of their composition and the characteristics of each piece.
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Toru Takemitsu’s Piano Works: A curated selection of the world-renowned Takemitsu’s exquisite masterpieces (11–20)
Closed Eyes — In Memory of Shuzo TakiguchiTakemitsu Tōru
The life of Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu can be seen as a trajectory that, while buffeted by the shadow of war, carved out a unique realm by blending Eastern and Western music.
His piano piece Closed Eyes is a serene, meditative work written in memory of the poet Shuzo Takiguchi.
The delicate touch and resonant harmonies create a fantastical sonority, almost like a painting.
It is a gem I highly recommend to anyone wishing to spend a time of introspection through Takemitsu’s music.
In conclusion
Toru Takemitsu’s piano works overflow with a mysterious allure. Performing them requires considerable technique and deep understanding of the music, but some pieces are relatively approachable and intended for children. If you’d like to immerse yourself in the “Takemitsu world” through piano performance, why not start by trying some of the more accessible short pieces?