Music for the Movies: Toru Takemitsu

Toru Takemitsu is a highly commended Japanese composer of film music. In the fifties and sixties he experimented with electronic techniques and 'sound designs'. Takemitsu's music varies from small and subtle sounds to richly orchestrated works, and comprises the whole range of possible film-moods. A distinguishing feature of Toru Takemitsu's work is his involvement in the film project he is composing for from the very start. His scores are developed simultaneously with the making of the movie, which also contributes to an accurate gearing of music and images. So far, he has composed music for ninety odd Japanese films, including works by directors like Hiroshi Teshigahara, Akira Kurosawa, Nagisa Oshima and Masahiro Shinoda. This film portrays the artist by showing interviews with Takemitsu and directors, and film fragments and shots of the composer's method of working. The film is one of six films dealing with the relationship between film image and music.