Yuji Takahashi

Yuji Takahashi

Yuji Takahashi is a Japanese composer, performer, pianist and author. He studied piano under Roh Ogura and Minao Shibata and composition with Iannis Xenakis. He lived in Europe from 1963 to 1966 where he worked with Iannis Xenakis. He gave the first performance of Xenakis’ Herma and Eonta, both of which were written for Takahashi. In fact, his influence in suggesting to Xenakis the potential of extraordinary athleticism in performance demands, was an important influence on this European master. After a period of time in Europe and the United States, during which he was the primary exponent of the music of Xenakis and Toru Takemitsu, Takahashi returned to Japan where he became a political activist, and cult figure while continuing his pianistic and compositional career. Between 1974-76 he edited the quarterly publication TranSonic. In 1976 he collaborated with the painter Tomiyama Taeko producing several narrative works with slides and music. From 1978-1985 Takahashi worked with the Suigyû Band (Water Buffalo Band) doing Asian protest songs and publishing the  monthly magazine Suigyû Tsûshin. From 1990-2008 he has composed for voices and for Japanese traditional instruments. He has also, recently recorded Bach’s Goldberg Variations, and Schubert’s Die Winterreise.