You struggle to find words. You hear the news and you think it’s a mistake at first; someone whose name sounds a lot like Ryuichi Sakamoto but really isn’t – but the words sink in. Ryuichi Sakamoto has left – is not coming back – will not be gone for a short while – is not on vacation. Ryuichi Sakamoto has died. True, his struggle is over, and once again Cancer won. But his passing is especially sad because he leaves behind a rich legacy that could have gone on for many more productive and inspiring years – but now we’re content with hearing his past – and there’s enough to be dazzled and moved by for a long time – he was prolific and he composed in a vast arena of genres. And he left deep and lasting impressions in each. But it’s not the same – we don’t get the opportunity to take him for granted – there is no time for that now. Just sadness and blank stares off into space is all there is for now, and maybe for days and weeks to come. This has been a bad year and we’re only four months into it.
One aspect, his Orchestral music – music inspired by the works of Debussy (and I hear bits and pieces of Toru Takemitsu in there) is rich and wondrous, conveying a sonorous landscape of infinite beauty and grace. It’s what I found when I was trying to express the sadness and loss today – the gifted artist, the tonal colorist painting swatches of warmth and introspection in the service of drama and human emotion.
This concert, given at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on May 8, 2013 features the NHK Symphony conducted by Hirofumi Kurita with Ryuichi Sakamoto as keyboard soloist and occasional narrator (in Japanese). It’s the first time Ryuichi Sakamoto played with a full orchestra in over 16 years.
I will run some of his other endeavors over the next few days – most notably Yellow Magic Orchestra, which was a milestone for Pop Music and an inspiration for countless musicians since their formation in the 1970s.
He touched countless people and his presence has been felt throughout the world. We’ve lost so many irreplaceable giants these past few years that it all seems a blur with names and faces running together in a sort of tapestry of loss. We find ourselves asking, cynically; “who’s left?”
Indeed – the inspirations are dwindling, the pioneers are leaving. And one more joins the ranks.
What a gift you were while we had you here – what treasures you have left. Life is just too short.
Enjoy what you can while you can. Life is just unpredictable.
Rest in Peace Ryuichi Sakamoto – your music lives on.
