Translating Takemitsu in Tonality

Hey all, it's Ashley! I have a question for you:

What do you think of when someone says “Takemitsu”? Maybe the complex and disjunct sounds of his avant-garde works come to mind, or the variety of tone colors his writing produces. Perhaps you are reminded of the mysterious atmospheres and philosophical subjects that saturate his work. So why are we talking about tonality?

In the early 1970’s Takemitsu, a serious hobbyist on the guitar, took it upon himself to “reconnect” audiences to the instrument through the arrangement of 12 popular songs. Music being written during that time was heavily “modern” and Takemitsu already had serious thoughts and ideas on the disconnect audiences of art and music were bound to experience as a result. These arrangements range from folk songs, film songs such as Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow”, to popular music such as the Beatles of which he arranged 4 tunes.

In this stream, we will discuss two of the aforementioned arrangements: Yesterday and Michelle. We’ll discuss how to navigate Takemitsu’s infamously complex textures and left-hand intensive writing. All while, allowing the beautiful lyricism of Lennon and McCartney’s famous melodies sing through the creative liberties taken by the arranger. 

Feel free to post any questions below before or after the event! See you there!!!