Worldwide audiences both young and old found a wealth of inspiration in the music and life of the late, great composer, musician, synthesist, producer, actor, activist and Renaissance man, Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Along with his first group, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Ryuichi was a true pioneer in early electronic music. His catalog includes rock albums, classical compositions, an opera, over twenty film scores and numerous video game soundtracks.
Sakamoto was recognized for his music with an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, a Grammy, the Order of the Cavaleiro Admissão from the government of Brazil, and in July 2009, he was named an officer of the coveted Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the government of France.
His collaborations with such diverse luminaries as David Bowie, David Sylvian, dramatist Robert Wilson, author William S. Burroughs, the Three Tenors’ Jose Carreras, and the Dalai Lama were groundbreaking. Ryuichi was even tapped to write music for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and for the 400th anniversary of the city of Mannheim, Germany.
In his final tour, "Playing the Piano", he toured in Japan, Europe, and North America. The concerts were performed using two grand pianos, one played live by Sakamoto, and a second one that interacted with Sakamoto’s playing via MIDI controller, creating a virtual piano duet.
It was a truly momentous day when we had the honor of meeting the great Mr. Sakamoto and found out that he was a fan of our work...and even wanted to contribute creatively to the Bob Moog Tribute Library. RIP Maestro Sakamoto.