REMINDER: The latest article features 'Bamboo Music', the most commercial song from a double-a sided single released by David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto in 1982 whilst they were still members of Japan & Yellow Magic Orchestra respectively. Read it here: https://sylvianvista.com/2024/01/26/bamboo-music/ #davidsylvian#ryuichisakamoto
#23From2023 - #AlexandraStréliski – Néo-Romance (Secret City). Playing against the conventional neo-classical tag, this Montreal pianist-composer channels the likes of Friedrich Chopin on an all-original set of modern romantic pieces. Dark and emotionally charged, the music highlights Stréliski’s fluid and often sparse piano lines, embellished with chamber strings for added atmosphere. Like #RyuichiSakamoto, Stréliski makes meditative music for a winter’s night.
#23From2023 - #RyuichiSakamoto – 12 (Milan/ Commmons). Japanese composer and classical/ electronic innovator Sakamoto lost his battle with cancer in March of this year. This final cycle of twelve pieces, identified only by date of composition (2021-22) is a meditative set with stark, minimalist beauty channeled through Sakamoto’s piano with electronic textures. Its late-night ambience makes it perfect for those evenings when you feel like dialing down the noise of the world.
A 2009 memoir by Sakamoto Ryūichi has been reissued in Japan following his death earlier this year. It provides many insights into his approaches and attitudes to music as he looked back on his upbringing and career.
What is your hacking jam atm? Mine is Yellow Magic Orchestra's Complete Service live album, which covers the breadth of their career including everything from the Solid State Survivor classics, to the hits from the Thousand Knives of #RyuichiSakamoto and the lesser known deep glam electro post-punk bangers of Naughty Boys. So good.
Sakamoto Ryūichi Recounts the Birth of His Music (www.nippon.com)
A 2009 memoir by Sakamoto Ryūichi has been reissued in Japan following his death earlier this year. It provides many insights into his approaches and attitudes to music as he looked back on his upbringing and career.