Hisato ohzawa
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese
composer
. His relative neglect today contrasts with the fact that he was one of the pre-eminent Japanese
composers
of his day.
in 1930 to study composition at Boston University
and the New England Conservatory of Music
, also taking some lessons with Arnold Schoenberg
. It was in America that his early works were composed: The Little Symphony, his First Piano Concerto, his First Symphony, and a Double Bass Concerto. In 1934 he moved to Paris and continued his studies, composing his Second Symphony and his Second Piano Concerto.
He returned to Japan
in 1936, where his works were met with mixed reactions, being technically too difficult for Japanese orchestras of the time, and being in a fairly modern style. Due to the increasing international tension of the time, he was less and less able to travel, struggling to make a living as a composer. The Third Symphony (named "The Symphony of the Founding of Japan" and dedicated to the then-current Emperor, Hirohito
) was composed in 1936, with the Third Piano Concerto following in 1938 (named "Kamikaze," after a popular civil aircraft). In 1940 he wrote two cantatas to celebrate the 2600th year of the Emperor. He also wrote musicals and film music.
After the Second World War, Ohzawa taught at the Kobe Jagakuin; composed light music, jazzy concertos for saxophone and trumpet; created an orchestra; and hosted his own radio show featuring the orchestra, which featured popular classics, as well as more modern works by such composers as Igor Stravinsky
, Arnold Schoenberg
and Dmitri Shostakovich
. He aimed to write a Fourth Symphony, but was stopped by his death, leaving only the title page.
' "Japanese Classics" series released two discs of his music: one containing the spectacular Piano Concerto No. 3 and Symphony No. 3, another containing Piano Concerto No. 2 and Symphony No. 2.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
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...
. His relative neglect today contrasts with the fact that he was one of the pre-eminent Japanese
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
composers
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...
of his day.
Biography
He grew up in Kobe, studying piano, organ and choral singing. He moved to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1930 to study composition at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
and the New England Conservatory of Music
New England Conservatory of Music
The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest independent school of music in the United States.The conservatory is home each year to 750 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies along with 1400 more in its Preparatory School as well as the School of...
, also taking some lessons with Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer, associated with the expressionist movement in German poetry and art, and leader of the Second Viennese School...
. It was in America that his early works were composed: The Little Symphony, his First Piano Concerto, his First Symphony, and a Double Bass Concerto. In 1934 he moved to Paris and continued his studies, composing his Second Symphony and his Second Piano Concerto.
He returned to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1936, where his works were met with mixed reactions, being technically too difficult for Japanese orchestras of the time, and being in a fairly modern style. Due to the increasing international tension of the time, he was less and less able to travel, struggling to make a living as a composer. The Third Symphony (named "The Symphony of the Founding of Japan" and dedicated to the then-current Emperor, Hirohito
Hirohito
, posthumously in Japan officially called Emperor Shōwa or , was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death in 1989. Although better known outside of Japan by his personal name Hirohito, in Japan he is now referred to...
) was composed in 1936, with the Third Piano Concerto following in 1938 (named "Kamikaze," after a popular civil aircraft). In 1940 he wrote two cantatas to celebrate the 2600th year of the Emperor. He also wrote musicals and film music.
After the Second World War, Ohzawa taught at the Kobe Jagakuin; composed light music, jazzy concertos for saxophone and trumpet; created an orchestra; and hosted his own radio show featuring the orchestra, which featured popular classics, as well as more modern works by such composers as Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
, Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer, associated with the expressionist movement in German poetry and art, and leader of the Second Viennese School...
and Dmitri Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich
Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich was a Soviet Russian composer and one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century....
. He aimed to write a Fourth Symphony, but was stopped by his death, leaving only the title page.
Works
- Sinfonietta (1932)
- Piano Concerto No. 1
- Symphony No. 1
- Double Bass Concerto - dedicated to Sergei Koussevitzky
- Piano Concerto No. 2 (1934)
- Symphony No. 2 (1934)
- Symphony No. 3 (1937)
- Piano Concerto No. 3 "Kamikaze" (1938)
- Saxophone Concerto (1947)
- Trumpet Concerto (1950)
Recordings
Naxos RecordsNaxos Records
Naxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
' "Japanese Classics" series released two discs of his music: one containing the spectacular Piano Concerto No. 3 and Symphony No. 3, another containing Piano Concerto No. 2 and Symphony No. 2.