Toru Takemitsu
Excerpt from >>Autumn<< / 10th Step from >>November Steps<< / Eclipse
Deutsche Grammophon (Japan) 1975
MG 1056 (LP)
sleeve : EX-(some light dirts.)
media : EX/EX(some slightly noise.)
A 1975 release featuring three works for traditional Japanese instruments by the great composer Toru Takemitsu, a figure Japan proudly offers to the world, who transcended the boundaries of “contemporary music” to pursue compositions with a wide range of experimental approaches. The pieces are performed in their entirety by Katsuya Yokoyama (shakuhachi) and Kinshi Tsuruta (biwa), both of whom had previously performed Takemitsu’s works for traditional instruments, including music written for the soundtrack of the film Kwaidan. The earliest of the three works, “Eclipse” (1967), found on Side B, was composed from the outset specifically for Yokoyama on shakuhachi and Tsuruta on biwa. Side A opens with “Excerpt from Autumn” (1973), written for Tsuruta’s recital. Following that is “November Steps”, which features the tenth section for shakuhachi and biwa that emerges after the orchestral passages in the larger work. Across all three compositions, the absence of fixed melody and controlled timing highlights the importance of improvisational elements by the performers.
A1: Excerpt from >>Autumn<<
A2: 10th Step from >>November Steps<<
B1: Ecripse