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Post by Pinch on Jun 3, 2019 12:57:28 GMT
I've picked the following collection of works by Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu: These works are all taken from the last fifteen-or-so years of his career (the final piece is his last published work). They work very nicely together as sequenced on this album. I really enjoy Takemitsu's work; I find it calming and meditative. But it's very sparse, not exactly jaunty - some might find it a little hard going. He was an interesting composer, nice write-up on the wiki page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toru_TakemitsuIf this goes down like a lead balloon then perhaps I'll do a Jerry and pick a follow-up. |
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Post by Pinch on Jun 3, 2019 13:33:03 GMT
I perhaps should have said that I was a bit torn between the recording of "I Hear The Water Dreaming" that's on this release, and the one that's on this release:
The above collection is also very nice; I think the piece works a little better alongside the smaller-scale chamber pieces on the main pick, but if you'd prefer to hear it alongside some larger scale orchestral works then go for this one.
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Post by jandl100 on Jun 3, 2019 14:25:38 GMT
Hmm -- Takemitsu - this could be more of a challenge than Autechre!
I'll give it a go.
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Post by jandl100 on Jun 3, 2019 15:27:23 GMT
Argh, no, I just cannot get on with this. It just sounds random in a vaguely unpleasant and unsettling way to me. Sorry.  I do like Autechre, though.  |
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 3, 2019 16:43:01 GMT
Well I know the name but not the work!
Thanks for posting, will see how I get on with this.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 3, 2019 16:44:46 GMT
I'm listening now. From what I know of Takemitsu, I'm not surprised at your choice, Tom.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 3, 2019 16:50:55 GMT
It's not stylistically terribly far from Stravinsky, just much more sparse.
This I can tolerate pretty well. It's easier on the ear than Autechre, for sure.
On your 'scale', it's a cuppa!
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 4, 2019 10:47:28 GMT
Not at all what I was expecting.
Immediately I hear very strong influence of Ravel, which is obviously a good thing. Enchanting.
As it develops I’m hearing Scriabin as the chief protagonist. Throughout the work there is very liberal use of his Mystic Chord. In fact, on the basis of this I would say Takemitsu is the contemporary heir of Scriabin.
The woodwind is particularly haunting.
Thank you Tom, a great discovery for me.
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Post by Slinger on Jun 4, 2019 16:18:53 GMT
Plenty to keep me interested here. If anything it's possibly more accessible then the Takemitsu album I have in my collection, November Steps**. Not something I'd play often, perhaps, but definitely one of those "when the mood takes me" albums.
**Not the one on Spotify. Mine is by Seiji Ozawa and has a different track listing apart from the title piece.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 5, 2019 11:05:28 GMT
Any recommendations for further Takemitsu listening Tom?
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Post by Pinch on Jun 7, 2019 22:12:22 GMT
Great to see that folks mostly enjoyed this Jules, this mystic chord is new to me, and I don't know much Scriabin - something to follow up! As for recommendations, I'll give it some thought. This pick actually prompted me to discover that the majority of my Takemitsu collection is unplayable on the new streamer, since it's mostly in ape format, which - it turns out - is not supported by Volumio and the Pro-Ject streamer. I'm midway through converting it all to flac. Once that's done I go through it and drop some bits in here. |
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Post by Pinch on Jun 9, 2019 19:12:05 GMT
Some more Takemitsu... The collection which really switched me on to his work was this. It's not available on spotify, but the majority of the pieces can be found spread across the following two collections: These are all either solo piano or small chamber works. I shall pop back soon with some orchestral stuff. |
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 9, 2019 20:36:07 GMT
Thanks for these, look forward to some orchestral works too ...
You really must check out Scriabin; I would be amazed if you didn't enjoy, as it's so similar tonally ...
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