The mystical world of Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu as revealed by Tokyo-based producer Ryota OPP.

Toru Takemitsu was a composer of Japanese contemporary music as well as a writer on aesthetics and music theory. My first experience of listening to him came when I heard a collaboration with Tsutomu Yamashita, when I was deeply into progressive rock and psychedelic jazz funk.

Then, recently, I started listening to some classical music to learn more about structure and composition, so I become engrossed in all of his works. I find them truly amazing.

Not only the sound but also his history is fascinating because he is self-taught. I can relate to this very much as I’m also not trained, I learned completely by myself. It’s probably why his music sounds more outsider or experimental, but precisely so emotional and beautiful to me.

Take the one hour trip and find the tracklist below.

Tracklist
01. Toru Takemitsu – Seasons
02. Toru Takemitsu – Rain Tree
03. Toru Takemitsu – All in Twilight – MovⅡ. Dark
04. Toru Takemitsu – 磁気の道
05. Toru Takemitsu – November Steps
06. Toru Takemitsu – All In Twilight – Mov IV Slightly
07. Toru Takemitsu – この沈黙の遺跡
08. Toru Takemitsu – Bryce