Tōru Takemitsu

Having acquired most of his skills independently, he participated in the Experimental Workshop in Tokyo during the early 1950s. As a guitarist and pianist he was awarded the Italia Prize in 1958. His work reflected the impact of John Cage, jazz, serialism, Debussy, ancient Japanese music, and numerous traditions from around the world. He devised distinctive polyrhythmic and open scoring techniques that merged with standard Western notation. He initiated the first fusions of Western orchestra with traditional Japanese instruments and Gagaku ensembles. His film scores encompass Woman in the Dunes (1964), Dode'skaden (1970), Ran (1985), Kwaidan (1964), Under the Cherry Blossoms (1975), and Empire of Passion (1978).