Oscar-winning Japanese maestro Ryuichi Sakamoto dies aged 71
The groundbreaking Japanese composer and musician, Ryuichi Sakamoto, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, as per the announcement from his management.
— ryuichi sakamoto (@ryuichisakamoto) April 2, 2023
In January 2021, Sakamoto had revealed that he was diagnosed with colon cancer, years after receiving treatment for throat cancer and making a comeback to music. Sakamoto was 71 at the time of his passing.
Sakamoto was a legendary figure in the world of music - a Japanese composer whose avant-garde approach to composition has left an indelible mark on contemporary culture. Born in Tokyo in 1952, Sakamoto's musical journey was marked by experimentation, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of artistic excellence.
Sakamoto first came to prominence in the late 1970s as a member of the electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). With their groundbreaking fusion of traditional Japanese music and Western synthpop, YMO quickly became one of the most influential acts of their era, paving the way for the rise of electronic music as a mainstream genre.
RIP the king ryuichi sakamoto...enjoy the boys groovin' on a YMO classic pic.twitter.com/Oqp12fiGlY
— Louie Zong (@everydaylouie) April 2, 2023
Despite his success with YMO, Sakamoto's ambitions went beyond the confines of the band. He began to explore new avenues of artistic expression, collaborating with artists from a range of disciplines and experimenting with different musical styles. He has since worked with the likes of David Byrne, Iggy Pop, and Brian Wilson, and has composed music for film, television, and theatre.
REST IN PEACE RYUICHI SAKAMOTO
— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) April 2, 2023
“Here am I, a lifetime away from you...”
Sad to learn of the passing of actor, composer, and producer @ryuichisakamoto. The renowned Japanese artist passed on Tuesday 28th March aged 71.
He won awards - including an Oscar, a Grammy and Bafta -… pic.twitter.com/OZdRVnQyYW
Sakamoto's musical vision is marked by a willingness to push boundaries and break with convention. He has explored everything from minimalism to ambient music to experimental electronica, incorporating elements of traditional Japanese music along the way. His music is often characterized by a sense of otherworldly beauty and a haunting, melancholic quality that speaks to the human condition.
Ryuichi Sakamoto's in-studio recording of SELF PORTRAIT in Elizabeth Lennard's TOKYO MELODY (a must-see along with YMO's PROPAGANDA) is one our favorite pieces by him. pic.twitter.com/Op05delwRi
— Japan Society Film (@js_film_nyc) April 2, 2023
One of Sakamoto's most acclaimed works is his soundtrack for the 1983 film Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, directed by Nagisa Oshima and starring David Bowie. The score, which blends traditional Japanese instrumentation with modern electronic sounds, is a stunning achievement, perfectly capturing the film's themes of isolation, loss, and cultural conflict.
Sakamoto's work on Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence helped establish him as a major figure in film music, and he has since composed scores for a wide range of films, including Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Score in 1987. Later in 2016, his work on Alejandro Innaritu's The Revenant earned him a Golden Globe nomination for his haunting original score. Sakamoto's approach to film music is marked by a sensitivity to the emotional content of the visuals, as well as a willingness to take risks and experiment with new sounds.
RIP legendary actor and composer RYUICHI SAKAMOTO 💔
— James Leighton (@JamesL1927) April 2, 2023
Here he is performing his stunning Oscar winning score to THE LAST EMPEROR (1987). pic.twitter.com/hsRFI0yElm
In addition to his work in music, Sakamoto has been an outspoken advocate for environmental and social causes. He has been a vocal critic of nuclear power and has worked to raise awareness about the dangers of climate change. In 2011, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, but after undergoing treatment, he returned to the stage and continued to produce music that spoke to the challenges facing our world.
ryuichi sakamoto— playing on a piano that survived the tsunami. i always go back to the image of the visible water line on the wall behind him. the ability to breathe new life into the space pic.twitter.com/wwp62BsevB
— song & dance sam (@samlbla) April 2, 2023
In 2018, Sakamoto was awarded the prestigious Kyoto Prize, which recognized his contributions to the fields of music and environmentalism. The award was a fitting tribute to a man whose work has transcended traditional boundaries and touched the hearts of millions.
Sakamoto presented a comprehensive performance showcasing his career on December 10, which was recorded at Tokyo's 509 Studio. The concert also featured tracks from his latest album, 12, and was available for viewing through a ticketed livestream. Throughout the event, the composer appeared melancholic. Prior to the show, he confided to actor Masafumi Suzuki that he lacked the vigor to continue with live concerts. In fact, he even expressed that this particular performance could be his final one in this style.
Words cannot express our gratitude for the joy and tenderness brought to this world by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Here is a clip from his final live performance, Dec 2022.#Sakamoto pic.twitter.com/ss7Fe3fnEt
— SpectreVision (@_SpectreVision) April 2, 2023
Sakamoto's influence on the world of music cannot be overstated. He has helped shape the course of electronic music, introduced new audiences to the beauty of traditional Japanese music, and pushed the boundaries of what is possible in composition. His work continues to inspire musicians and artists around the world, and his legacy will endure for generations to come.