Ayuo
Encyclopedia
Ayuo is a Japanese-American composer, poet, lyricist, singer and performer of plucked string instruments including guitar, bouzouki, Irish harp, Chinese zheng, Japanese koto,and medieval European psaltery. He is adept at adapting the ancient music of Japan, China, Persia, Greece and medieval Europe to create a new and original music without abandoning their strict forms, while simultaneously making them relevant to contemporary music styles. He has composed for classical ensembles including string quartets, piano, various chamber ensembles and orchestra, as well as composed, produced and performed with rock, jazz and musicians of various traditional music from around the world. He has also composed many music theater pieces , some of which has been released on CD in the United States and Japan.
, is a composer of contemporary classical music and a pianist known for premiering works by Iannis Xenakis
and John Cage
. Ayuo and his parents settled in New York City in 1966. Ayuo grew up listening to both the new avant-garde experimental and contemporary music and the psychedelic rock music of the 1960s. He often went to museums, art galleries and cinemas to see exhibitions of contemporary art and the new cinema. At the same time, he also saw Japanese traditional Noh plays, and heard ancient and medieval music from Japan and Europe. All these were to be become important influences in Ayuo's music and music-theater pieces.Ayuo's parents divorced in 1969, and Ayuo's mother married an Iranian-American, who came from a family that performed traditional Persian music in the courts of the Iranian Shah. This gave Ayuo the opportunity to hear Persian traditional music, which was also to leave a lasting influence on his music.
In 1975, Ayuo's mother and step-father separated, while Ayuo was visiting his father in Japan, forcing him to live there. His first studio recording was in 1976 with his father, Yuji Takahashi
, Ryuichi Sakamoto
, and Masahiko Togashi on the CD "Twilight" released on Columbia Records in Japan.
Adjusting to life in Japan as a teenager was difficult, and Ayuo would later make that the main theme on his CD "What We Look Like In The Picture" released in 2006 from Zipangu in Japan.
Ayuo spent his high school years writing poetry and appearing in poetry reading competitions.
Ayuo joined Keiji Haino
's group "Fushitsusha
" in 1979, and performed improvisation with many musicians in what was the final period of the "free music scene" in Japan of the 1970s.
Ayuo studied the traditional plucked string instrument, Biwa, with Kinshi Tsuruta. He studied contemporary music composition with Minao Shibata and Joji Yuasa
.
His first solo record,"Carmina", was recorded in 1983 and released in 1984 from Epic-Sony. Since then, he has released over a dozen solo albums, collaborating with a diverse group of individuals, including Peter Hammill
, Ryuichi Sakamoto
, Danny Thompson
, Maddy Prior
, Takehisa Kosugi
, Carlos Alomar
, John Zorn
, Bill Laswell
, Dave Mattacks
, Yohji Yamamoto
, Jadranka Stojaković
, Hiromi Ōta
, Yoko Ueno
, Clive Deamer, Mikigami Koichi
, Wataru Ohkuma, Aki Takahashi
, Mie Miki, Kazue Sawai
and many Japanese traditional musicians. 3 CDs of his music has been released in the United States from TZADIK label in the 21st century.
Ayuo has composed music for films, ballet, contemporary dance, and theater. "Border Line
", directed by the Korean-Japanese film director, Lee Sang-il
in 2002, features music mostly performed alone by Ayuo.
For the first Tzadik CD, he was introduced as the "one of the most enigmatic figures in Japan".
He has also made unique arrangements of compositions by Claude Debussy
, Erik Satie
, Claude Debussy
, Richard Wagner
, Maurice Ravel
, Toru Takemitsu
and other classical composers
, Rumi, Kazantzakis, and others. Two of his music-theater compositions are based on a medieval Japanese Noh play by Zeami. Another music-theater composition is based on the story "Blue Eyes, Black Hair" by Marguerite Duras
. There are also compositions based on mythic themes, such as the story of Pele and Hi'iaka from Hawaii, and story of the Sun god from ancient India. Ayuo often writes on the liner notes of his CDs that he was influenced by the scholar of world myths and comparative religion, Joseph Campbell
.
Biography
Ayuo Takahashi was born in Tokyo, and spent his early childhood traveling in Germany, Sweden and France with his parents. His father, Yuji TakahashiYuji Takahashi
is a Japanese composer, performer, pianist and author.Studied under Roh Ogura and Minao Shibata at the Toho Gakuen School of Music. In 1960, he made his debut as a pianist by performing Bo Nilsson's Quantitaten. He lived in Europe from 1963 to 1966 where he worked with Iannis Xenakis. He gave the...
, is a composer of contemporary classical music and a pianist known for premiering works by Iannis Xenakis
Iannis Xenakis
Iannis Xenakis was a Romanian-born Greek ethnic, naturalized French composer, music theorist, and architect-engineer. He is commonly recognized as one of the most important post-war avant-garde composers...
and John Cage
John Cage
John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...
. Ayuo and his parents settled in New York City in 1966. Ayuo grew up listening to both the new avant-garde experimental and contemporary music and the psychedelic rock music of the 1960s. He often went to museums, art galleries and cinemas to see exhibitions of contemporary art and the new cinema. At the same time, he also saw Japanese traditional Noh plays, and heard ancient and medieval music from Japan and Europe. All these were to be become important influences in Ayuo's music and music-theater pieces.Ayuo's parents divorced in 1969, and Ayuo's mother married an Iranian-American, who came from a family that performed traditional Persian music in the courts of the Iranian Shah. This gave Ayuo the opportunity to hear Persian traditional music, which was also to leave a lasting influence on his music.
In 1975, Ayuo's mother and step-father separated, while Ayuo was visiting his father in Japan, forcing him to live there. His first studio recording was in 1976 with his father, Yuji Takahashi
Yuji Takahashi
is a Japanese composer, performer, pianist and author.Studied under Roh Ogura and Minao Shibata at the Toho Gakuen School of Music. In 1960, he made his debut as a pianist by performing Bo Nilsson's Quantitaten. He lived in Europe from 1963 to 1966 where he worked with Iannis Xenakis. He gave the...
, Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
, and Masahiko Togashi on the CD "Twilight" released on Columbia Records in Japan.
Adjusting to life in Japan as a teenager was difficult, and Ayuo would later make that the main theme on his CD "What We Look Like In The Picture" released in 2006 from Zipangu in Japan.
Ayuo spent his high school years writing poetry and appearing in poetry reading competitions.
Ayuo joined Keiji Haino
Keiji Haino
Keiji Haino born May 3, 1952 in Chiba, Japan, and currently residing in Tokyo, is a Japanese musician whose work has included rock, free improvisation, noise, singer-songwriter, solo percussion, psychedelic, minimalism and drone styles...
's group "Fushitsusha
Fushitsusha
Fushitsusha is a Japanese rock band specialising in the psychedelic rock, space rock and noise rock genres. The band consists of electric guitarist and singer Keiji Haino, and a shifting cast of complementary musicians. The group released the majority of its material in the 1990s.-History:Haino...
" in 1979, and performed improvisation with many musicians in what was the final period of the "free music scene" in Japan of the 1970s.
Ayuo studied the traditional plucked string instrument, Biwa, with Kinshi Tsuruta. He studied contemporary music composition with Minao Shibata and Joji Yuasa
Joji Yuasa
is a Japanese composer of contemporary classical music.-Biography:Born in Kōriyama, Fukushima, he is self-taught as a composer.In 1951 or 1952, together with the composer Tōru Takemitsu and other contemporary artists and musicians, he founded Jikken Kobo , an organization dedicated to the...
.
His first solo record,"Carmina", was recorded in 1983 and released in 1984 from Epic-Sony. Since then, he has released over a dozen solo albums, collaborating with a diverse group of individuals, including Peter Hammill
Peter Hammill
Peter Joseph Andrew Hammill is an English singer-songwriter, and a founding member of the progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. Most noted for his vocal abilities, his main instruments are guitar and piano...
, Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
, Danny Thompson
Danny Thompson
Daniel Henry Edward 'Danny' Thompson is an English multi-instrumentalist best known as a double bassist and businessman...
, Maddy Prior
Maddy Prior
Maddy Prior is an English folk singer, best known as the lead vocalist of Steeleye Span.-Early life:...
, Takehisa Kosugi
Takehisa Kosugi
is a Japanese composer and violinist associated with the Fluxus movement.Kosugi studied musicology at the Tokyo University of the Arts and graduated in 1962....
, Carlos Alomar
Carlos Alomar
Carlos Alomar is an American guitarist, composer and arranger best known for his work with David Bowie, having played on more Bowie albums than any other musician...
, John Zorn
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
, Bill Laswell
Bill Laswell
Bill Laswell is an American bassist, producer and record label owner....
, Dave Mattacks
Dave Mattacks
Dave Mattacks is a rock and folk drummer. Best known for his work with Fairport Convention, Mattacks has also worked both as a session musician, and as a performance artist...
, Yohji Yamamoto
Yohji Yamamoto
Yōji Yamamoto , is an award winning Japanese fashion designer based in Tokyo and Paris. Yohji is considered to be among the master tailors whose work is thought to be of fashion genius and he has been described by Julie Gilhart, fashion director for Barney's New York as probably the only designer...
, Jadranka Stojaković
Jadranka Stojakovic
Jadranka Stojaković is a Bosnian singer-songwriter popular in the former Yugoslavia, known for her unique, beautiful voice...
, Hiromi Ōta
Hiromi Ota
Hiromi Ōta is a Japanese female singer. She is a popular singer who is considered an idol in Japan during the 1970s, and is thought to be representative of that era...
, Yoko Ueno
Yoko Ueno
is a Japanese recording artist. She has performed in the bands, Oranges & Lemons, Vita Nova, Marsh-Mallow, and Zabadak. She is also a notable musical composer, having written music for several anime series, most prominent being .hack//Legend of the Twilight, Azumanga Daioh , and Brigadoon...
, Clive Deamer, Mikigami Koichi
Hikashu
Hikashu are a renowned Japanese underground "avant-pop" collective led by pseudo-Kabuki vocalist, Makigami Koichi, known for their highly experimental music...
, Wataru Ohkuma, Aki Takahashi
Aki Takahashi
is a Japanese pianist specializing in contemporary classical music.-Biography:Born in Kamakura, she began studying piano at the age of five and received her M.A. degree from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Her teachers included Yutaka Ito, Ray Lev, and George Vásárhelyi...
, Mie Miki, Kazue Sawai
Kazue Sawai
is a Japanese koto player noted for her performance of contemporary classical music and free improvisation.She began studying, at the age of eight, with Michio Miyagi. She later graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music....
and many Japanese traditional musicians. 3 CDs of his music has been released in the United States from TZADIK label in the 21st century.
Ayuo has composed music for films, ballet, contemporary dance, and theater. "Border Line
Border Line
Border Line is a 2002 drama film, and the feature film debut of Korean-Japanese film director Sang-il Lee. It observes the lives of three un-related characters, a son, a father and a mother, each of whom has a troubled family background....
", directed by the Korean-Japanese film director, Lee Sang-il
Lee Sang-Il
Lee Sang-Il is a South Korean football Midfielder, who last played for Changsha Ginde in Chinese Super League. His previous club was Beveren, Germinal Beerschot in Belgium and Daegu FC, Chunnam Dragons at South Korean K-League.- Club career statistics :...
in 2002, features music mostly performed alone by Ayuo.
Music
Ayuo has a unique distinctive style in his music. He can create music which balances on traditions of world music, improvisation, new age, psychedelic, avant-pop, electronica and classical composition, without losing his distinctive voice in the music he creates.For the first Tzadik CD, he was introduced as the "one of the most enigmatic figures in Japan".
He has also made unique arrangements of compositions by Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy
Claude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
, Erik Satie
Erik Satie
Éric Alfred Leslie Satie was a French composer and pianist. Satie was a colourful figure in the early 20th century Parisian avant-garde...
, Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy
Claude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
, Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
, Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel
Joseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
, Toru Takemitsu
Toru Takemitsu
was a Japanese composer and writer on aesthetics and music theory. Largely self-taught, Takemitsu possessed consummate skill in the subtle manipulation of instrumental and orchestral timbre...
and other classical composers
Lyrics
Ayuo's lyrics are often about difficulties in human relationship, especially between different cultures, and between men and women.His lyrics often include scientific, literary or historical references. He often uses texts by philosophers from Japan, Middle East, and Europe, such as DogenDogen
Dōgen Zenji was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher born in Kyōto, and the founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan after travelling to China and training under the Chinese Caodong lineage there...
, Rumi, Kazantzakis, and others. Two of his music-theater compositions are based on a medieval Japanese Noh play by Zeami. Another music-theater composition is based on the story "Blue Eyes, Black Hair" by Marguerite Duras
Marguerite Duras
Marguerite Donnadieu, better known as Marguerite Duras was a French writer and film director.-Background:...
. There are also compositions based on mythic themes, such as the story of Pele and Hi'iaka from Hawaii, and story of the Sun god from ancient India. Ayuo often writes on the liner notes of his CDs that he was influenced by the scholar of world myths and comparative religion, Joseph Campbell
Joseph Campbell
Joseph John Campbell was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience...
.
Albums released in Japan
- Carmina (1984)
- Silent FilmSilent filmA silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
(1985) - Shizukani Okitegoran (1985)
- Memory Theatre (1985)
- Nova Carmina (1986)
- Blue Eyes, Black Hair (1995)
- Heavenly Garden Orchestra (1995)
- Songs from a Eurasian Journey (1997)
- Earth Guitar (2000)
- Stoned (2002)
- E No Naka No Sugata (What We Look Like In The Picture) (2006)
- dnaDNADeoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
(2009)
Albums released in the US
- IzutsuIzutsu' is a classic Noh play written by Zeami, the dominant figure in the early history of Noh theatre.Izutsu is based on an old story, Tsutsu-Izutsu , from the Ise monogatari, a 10th century collection of stories, many of which are based on stories about the romantic encounters of a "certain man",...
(2000) - Red Moon (2004)
- AOI (2005)