Takahashi, Yuji

Takahashi, Yuji, Japanese composer and pianist, brother of Aki Takahashi; b. Tokyo, Sept. 21, 1938. He studied composition with Shibata and Ogura at the Toho School of Music in Tokyo (1954-58), then went to Berlin and trained in electronics as a student of Xenakis (1963-65); also studied computer music in N.Y. and attended the summer courses at the Berkshire Music Center at Tangle wood (1966-68). He was a member of the Center for Creative and Performing Arts at the State Univ. of N.Y. in Buffalo (1968-69). In his music, he follows the stochastic procedures as practiced by Xenakis. He also has acquired considerable renown as a pianist in programs of avant-garde music.

Works

Phonogène for 2 Instruments and Tape (1962); Chromamorphe I for Violin, Double Bass, Flute, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, and Vibraphone (1963) and 17 for Piano (1964); 6 Stoicheia (Elements in Succession) for 4 Violins (1965); Bridges I for Electric Harpsichord or Piano, Amplified Cello, Bass Drum, and Castanets (1967) and II for 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Trumpets, and 3 Violas (1968); Rosace I for Amplified Violin (1967) and II for Piano (1967); Operation Euler for 2 or 3 Oboes (1967); Metathese for Piano (1968); Prajna Paramita for 4 Voices, each in one of 4 Instrumental Ensembles (1969); Orphika for Orch. (Tokyo, May 28, 1969); Yé Guèn for Tape (1969); Nikité for Oboe, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Cello, and Double Bass (1971); Kagahi for Piano and 30 Instruments (Qai, Calif., May 30, 1971); Michi-Yuki for Chorus, 2 Percussionists, and Electric Cello (1971); Corona Borealis for Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn (1971); Tadori for Tape (1972).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire