Toru Takemitsu: A Bio-Bibliography

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.

Author: James Siddons
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 05/30/2001
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.15lbs
Size: 9.46h x 6.40w x 0.84d
ISBN: 9780313272370

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2001 pg. 194

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.