Sakamoto: Coda

2017 marked the 85th birth anniversary of Glenn Gould, the solitary composer/pianist from Canada. To commemorate this, an array of special exhibitions and concerts were held around the world commissioned by the Glenn Gould Foundation in Canada, among which Ryuichi Sakamoto was asked to curate an event in Japan. Sakamoto, an avid Gould admirer who had been influenced by him since early childhood and had handpicked his compositions for a compilation CD, readily agreed to the request. As a result, “Glenn Gould Gathering”, a series of exhibitions and concerts dedicated to Glenn Gould, took place with Sogetsu Hall as center stage. The event was highlighted with a tribute concert entitled “Glenn Gould – Remodels”. The concert featured musicians who have maintained close relations with Sakamoto, such as Alva Noto + Nilo, the leading figures of contemporary electronic music in Germany, and Austrian guitarist Christian Fennesz, who has spawned a new world of acoustic music, as well as pianist Francesco Tristano, an exceptional talent from Luxembourg. This live album captures the moment of a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

Ryuichi Sakamoto's death in March, 2023 at age 71, left a gaping hole for anyone touched by his legendary compositions—a long list of people. Sakamoto initially rose to fame as a member of the much loved and pioneering Yellow Magic Orchestra, influencing virtually all genres with an electronic element, from synth pop to house to hip-hop and beyond. After YMO's hiatus in 1984, Sakamoto's focus shifted to his solo career and composing scores. He created a string of film scores for renowned directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Brian DePalma, Takashi Miike, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, and others, all while composing music for video games, working on collaborative albums, and even writing a song for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Ryuichi Sakamoto's death in March, 2023 at age 71, left a gaping hole for anyone touched by his legendary compositions—a long list of people. Sakamoto initially rose to fame as a member of the much loved and pioneering Yellow Magic Orchestra, influencing virtually all genres with an electronic element, from synth pop to house to hip-hop and beyond. After YMO's hiatus in 1984, Sakamoto's focus shifted to his solo career and composing scores. He created a string of film scores for renowned directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Brian DePalma, Takashi Miike, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, and others, all while composing music for video games, working on collaborative albums, and even writing a song for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.