Hikaru Hayashi
Encyclopedia
is a contemporary Japanese
composer
, pianist
and conductor
. He is the cousin of flautist
Ririko Hayashi.
Hayashi entered Tokyo University of the Arts as a composition student but did not complete his studies. Studying under Hisatada Otaka, he produced many compositions including orchestral works. In particular, he is noted for his choral suite Scenes from Hiroshima (1958–2001).
In exploring the possibilities of Japanese language opera, Hayashi has composed more than 30 operas. He is artistic director and resident composer of the Opera Theatre Konnyakuza. His oeuvre also includes symphonic works, works for band, chamber music, choral works, songs and more than 100 film scores. Hayashi is the author of more than 20 books including Nihon opera no yume (日本オペラの夢 The Dream of Japanese Opera).
In 1998 Hayashi won the 30th Suntory Music Award
.
Orchestral
Concertante
Chamber music
Piano
Film scores
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. He is the cousin of flautist
Flautist
A flautist or flutist is a musician who plays an instrument in the flute family. See List of flautists.The choice of "flautist" versus "flutist" is the source of dispute among players of the instrument...
Ririko Hayashi.
Hayashi entered Tokyo University of the Arts as a composition student but did not complete his studies. Studying under Hisatada Otaka, he produced many compositions including orchestral works. In particular, he is noted for his choral suite Scenes from Hiroshima (1958–2001).
In exploring the possibilities of Japanese language opera, Hayashi has composed more than 30 operas. He is artistic director and resident composer of the Opera Theatre Konnyakuza. His oeuvre also includes symphonic works, works for band, chamber music, choral works, songs and more than 100 film scores. Hayashi is the author of more than 20 books including Nihon opera no yume (日本オペラの夢 The Dream of Japanese Opera).
In 1998 Hayashi won the 30th Suntory Music Award
Suntory Music Award
The , previously known as the , designed to promote Western music in Japan, has been given by the Suntory Music Foundation since their establishment in 1969. The award is presented annually to individuals or groups for the greatest achievement in the development of Western or contemporary music in...
.
Selected works
Opera- Gauche the Cellist (セロ弾きのゴーシュ) (1986); based on the novel by Kenji MiyazawaKenji Miyazawawas a Japanese poet and author of children's literature in the early Shōwa period of Japan. He was also known as a devout Buddhist, vegetarian and social activist.-Early life:...
- Twelve Months (森は生きている) (1992); based on the novel by Samuil MarshakSamuil MarshakSamuil Yakovlevich Marshak was a Russian and Soviet writer, translator and children's poet. Among his Russian translations are William Shakespeare's sonnets, poems by William Blake and Robert Burns, and Rudyard Kipling's stories. Maxim Gorky proclaimed Marshak to be "the founder of [Russia's ]...
- Metamorphosis (変身 セールスマンKの憂鬱) (1996); based on the novel by Franz KafkaFranz KafkaFranz Kafka was a culturally influential German-language author of short stories and novels. Contemporary critics and academics, including Vladimir Nabokov, regard Kafka as one of the best writers of the 20th century...
- I Am a Cat (吾輩は猫である) (1998); based on the novel by Soseki Natsume
- Three Sisters (三人姉妹) (2001); based on the novel by Anton ChekhovAnton ChekhovAnton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
- Revenge of the Dog (イヌの仇討ち あるいは吉良の決断) (2002); based on the novel by Hisashi Inoue
- Last Adventure of Don Quixote (花のラ・マンチャ騎士道 あるいはドン・キホーテ最後の冒険) (2004); based on the novel by Miguel de CervantesMiguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes Saavedra was a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright. His magnum opus, Don Quixote, considered the first modern novel, is a classic of Western literature, and is regarded amongst the best works of fiction ever written...
- Romeo and Juliet (瓦礫のなかのロミオ＆ジュリエット) (2006); based on the play by William ShakespeareWilliam ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
Orchestral
- Symphony in G (1953)
- Variations for Orchestra (1955)
- Festive Overture (祝典序曲) (1976)
- Symphony No.2 "Canciones" (1983)
- Fukinukeru Natsukaze no Matsuri (吹き抜ける夏風の祭) (1985); recorded 1988 DENON, The Contemporary Music of Japan, COCO-70960, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Koizumi, Kazuhiro conductor.
- Symphonic Sketch (シンフォニック・スケッチ) (1988–1992)
- Symphony No.3 "At Noon, the August Sun..." (1990)
Concertante
- Guitar Concerto (ギター協奏曲＜北の帆船＞)
- Viola Concerto "Elegia" (悲歌) for viola and string orchestra (1995)
- Xylophone Concerto (木琴協奏曲＜夏の雲はしる＞) (2007)
Chamber music
- Rhapsody for violin and piano (1965)
- Sonata for flute and piano (1967)
- Winter on 72nd St. (７２丁目の冬) for violin and piano (1968)
- String Quartet "Legende" (レゲンデ) (1989)
- Vines (蔓枝) for viola solo (1999)
- Viola Sonata "Process" (プロセス) for viola and piano (2002)
Piano
- Theme and Variations (主題と変奏) (1946)
- Rondo in G major (ロンド ト長調) (1950)
- Dance Suite (舞踏組曲) for 2 pianos (1954)
- Sonata [No.1] (1965)
- Sonatina (1966)
- The Diary of Dr. Pamir (パミール博士の日記) for piano 4-hands (1977)
- Bevat: Tuk-kui-gwa (徳利小) (1979)
- Blanqui (ブランキ) for piano 4-hands (1979)
- The Zoo (動物園) (1979)
- Attā-wanku-wantū (あったーわんくわとぅー) (1980)
- Garasa (がらさ) (1980)
- Modottekita hizuke (もどってきた日付) (1980)
- Sangitsu (さんぎつ) (1980)
- Sonata No.2 "About Trees" (「木々について) (1981)
- Tei-chi dei-chi denden (てぃーちでぃーる・じんじん) (1981)
- Mimichiri bōji (耳打り坊主) (1982)
- Warszawianka Variations (ワルシャヴィアンカ変奏曲) (1982)
- 48 Songs for Piano (ピアノのための４８のうた) (1983)
- Harlequin (アルレッキーノ) for 2 pianos (1984)
- Shima-kodomo-uta II (Nursery Songs from Southern Islands II; 島こども歌２) (1984)
- Tori-tachi no hachigatsu (鳥たちの八月) for 2 pianos 8-hands (1984)
- Chameleon (カメレオン) for piano 4-hands (1986)
- Tale (ものがたり) (1986)
- Jikoku wo nozoku Arurekkīno (地獄を覗くアルレッキーノ) for 2 pianos (1987)
- Sonata No.3 "New Angel" (「新しい天使」) (1987)
- Postlude (POSTLUDE/静岡東高校校歌によるパラフレーズ), Paraphrase on the Shizuoka East High School Hymn (1992)
- Sōkō no mori (Forest of Drafts; 前奏曲「草稿の森」) (1993)
- 四都 for 2 pianos (2000)
- Khanbaliq (カムバリク) for 2 pianos (2004)
- Dance Suite for 2 pianos (2004)
- 3 Intermezzos (三つの間奏曲) (2006)..
Film scores
- Voice Without a ShadowVoice Without a Shadowis a 1958 Japanese mystery film directed by Seijun Suzuki for the Nikkatsu Corporation. It is based on a novel by famed mystery writer Seichō Matsumoto.-External links:* at Cinefiles* at the Japanese Movie Database...
(影なき声) (1958) - The Naked IslandThe Naked IslandThe Naked Island is a 1960 art film directed by Kaneto Shindō. The film was made in black and white, and is notable for having no spoken dialogue.-Plot synopsis:...
(裸の島) (1960) - Brave Records of the Sanada ClanBrave Records of the Sanada Clanis a Japanese film directed by Tai Kato in 1963. It is a jidaigeki musical about Sasuke Sarutobi and the Sanada Ten Braves who, under the leadership of Yukimura Sanada, try to defend Toyotomi Hideyori during the siege of Osaka Castle by the Tokugawa armies...
(真田風雲録) (1963) - KuronekoKuronekois a 1968 Japanese horror film, directed by Kaneto Shindō. The title means "Black Cat" in English. It was placed in competition at the 1968 Cannes Film Festival, but the festival was cancelled due to the events of May 1968 in France.- Plot :...
(藪の中の黒猫) (1968) - Death by HangingDeath by Hangingis a 1968 film directed by Nagisa Oshima, acclaimed for its innovative Brechtian techniques and complex treatments of guilt and consciousness, justice, and the persecution of ethnic Koreans in Japan.- Plot synopsis :...
(絞死刑) (1968) - Boy (少年) (1969)
- Under the Flag of the Rising SunUnder the Flag of the Rising Sunis a 1972 film directed by Kinji Fukasaku.-Cast:...
(軍旗はためく下に) (1972) - A Last NoteA Last Noteis a 1995 Japanese film directed by Kaneto Shindō. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.-Synopsis:A retired actress whose husband has recently died visits her summer home...
(午後の遺言状) (1995)
External links
- 林光の部屋 – Hikaru Hayashi's Room (in Japanese)
- オペラシアター こんにゃく座 – Opera Theatre Konnyakuza (in Japanese and English)