Legendary Japanese pianist Toshi Ichiyanagi has died
TOKYO: Legendary Japanese pianist and composer Toshi Ichiyanagi has reportedly died, on Friday.
Citing a Billboard report , the 89-year-old Ichiyanagi is a person who likes to experiment in producing unusual music.
The late also managed to bring about big changes in the world of music in Japan.
Chairman of the Kanagawa Art Foundation, Kazumi Tamamura described Ichiyanagi’s passing as the biggest loss in the world music industry.
“We want to say a million thanks to everyone who loved him throughout his life,” he said.
For info, Ichiyanagi was educated at the art school, The Juilliard, New York and emerged as a pioneer when using excellent music composition techniques thus combining traditional Japanese rhythms and modern music in his work.
Known for his work that crosses borders, Ichiyanagi has collaborated with some big names including famous painter Jasper Johns, choreographer Merce Cunningham, architect Kisho Kurokawa and poet Shuji Terayama.
In the meantime, Ichiyanagi was also reported to have been married to Japanese artist, Yoko Ono for several years in the mid-50s before she married John Lennon.
Among his famous works is the orchestral poetry music “Berlin Renshi” which is described as provocative.
Meanwhile, Ichiyanagi’s funeral took place in private and was attended only by family members.
The Japanese media informed that the son of the deceased is working on a commemoration ceremony for the public, the date of which will be announced later.
source – Faida Rahim
