Top Story: 21. March 2009
Playing the Piano 2009 - Ryuichi Sakamoto
By Editor in Chief, Jaakko Saari
It is wonderful to make a true discoveries in Apple's iTunes Music Store. One of my recent discoveries was the fresh Ryuichi Sakamoto release, Playing the Piano 2009 - Tokyo 031909.
The live recording from Tokyo has wonderful, legendary pieces such as Hibari, Poppoya, or theme from Silk. But personally I was most moved by his improvisation pieces, such as the second track in the album. The album has a fresh smell of spring, as if the sakura is yet to bloom. One of the pieces "Composition 0919" is so fresh and simple it makes me wonder whether it is just sakamoto's sudden inspiration in the stage.
What personally moves me about Sakamoto's music is the way how it tends to be melancholic, quiet, slow, and .. personal. I sense that Sakamoto puts his spirit into it. This kind of music is rare in nowaday's music world. Sure there are soundtracks of famous movies, but they are only soundtracks. Sakamoto's music is so much more.
Everyone know Sakamoto in Japan. He has succeeded in the extremely difficult job - bringing instrumental and ambient music into fame. And although he has became a superstar in Japan - he has not given up any of his originality. I was honestly moved by this live recording, and I feel sorry I missed this live concert in Tokyo.
But this live recording is only a beginning of his live tour "Playing the Piano 2009" in Japan. He will be touring in Kyoto tomorrow 22nd in Alti Art Live Theatre International, and his tour will go all the way from Hiroshima to Hokkaido. Please see his tour guide in his official website at: http://www.sitesakamoto.com/whatsnew/
The live recordings will be made soon available in iTunes Music Store Japan. It will be interesting to see how different his sound will be in Hokkaido comparing to Tokyo.
If you make it into one of his concerts, please write your comments here.
