Yoshiro Irino
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese
composer
.
Irino was born in Soviet Vladivostok. He attended high school in Tokyo and went on to study economics
at Tokyo Imperial University (now University of Tokyo).
After World War II
, Irino, along with colleagues Minao Shibata and Kunio Toda, studied the twelve-tone method
of composition devised by Arnold Schoenberg
. In 1951, Irino used the composition technique to compose his Concerto da Camera for Seven Instruments. This work is credited to be the first Japanese dodecaphonic composition. During the same time, the magazine Ongaku Geijutsu published two articles by Irino: "Schoenberg's Composing Technique" and "What is Twelve-Tone Music?" Subsequently, Irino used the twelve-tone technique in numerous compositions and wrote extensively about contemporary music. Working to introduce foreign contemporary music and music literature to Japan, he made Japanese translations of important books such as Die Komposition mit zwölf Tönen (12音による作曲技法) by Josef Rufer
and Schoenberg and His School (シェーンベルクとその楽派) by René Leibowitz
. Irino did not, however, compose serial music, a technique of the same period widely used with the Darmstadt School
.
In 1973, the Asian Composers League was established by Irino and his colleagues.
After his death, the Irino Award and the Yoshiro Irino Memorial Prize (sposored by the Asian Composers League) were established to promote young composers.
, Ongaku No Tomo Sha,
Stage works, Music for the Noh
Drama (1962)
Orchestra
Jazz Band
Chamber music
Piano
Vocal (1959) for Mixed Chorus and Percussion (1960) (1966) for Soprano and Tenor with Harp and Harpsichord (1977)
Film music (1958) (1961) (1964); based on the novel by Yukio Mishima
School songs
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...
.
Irino was born in Soviet Vladivostok. He attended high school in Tokyo and went on to study economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
at Tokyo Imperial University (now University of Tokyo).
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Irino, along with colleagues Minao Shibata and Kunio Toda, studied the twelve-tone method
Twelve-tone technique
Twelve-tone technique is a method of musical composition devised by Arnold Schoenberg...
of composition devised by 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...
. In 1951, Irino used the composition technique to compose his Concerto da Camera for Seven Instruments. This work is credited to be the first Japanese dodecaphonic composition. During the same time, the magazine Ongaku Geijutsu published two articles by Irino: "Schoenberg's Composing Technique" and "What is Twelve-Tone Music?" Subsequently, Irino used the twelve-tone technique in numerous compositions and wrote extensively about contemporary music. Working to introduce foreign contemporary music and music literature to Japan, he made Japanese translations of important books such as Die Komposition mit zwölf Tönen (12音による作曲技法) by Josef Rufer
Josef Rufer
Josef Rufer was an Austrian-born musicologist. He is regarded as a significant figure mainly on account of his association with and writings on Arnold Schoenberg....
and Schoenberg and His School (シェーンベルクとその楽派) by René Leibowitz
René Leibowitz
René Leibowitz was a French composer, conductor, music theorist and teacher born in Warsaw, Poland.-Career:...
. Irino did not, however, compose serial music, a technique of the same period widely used with the Darmstadt School
Darmstadt School
Darmstadt School refers to a loose group of compositional styles created by composers who attended the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music from the early 1950s to the early 1960s.-History:...
.
In 1973, the Asian Composers League was established by Irino and his colleagues.
After his death, the Irino Award and the Yoshiro Irino Memorial Prize (sposored by the Asian Composers League) were established to promote young composers.
Awards
- 6th Mainichi Music Award for Sinfonietta (1953)
- 6th Odaka Award for Concerto Grosso for Double String and Wind Orchestras (1957)
- 8th Odaka Award for Symphonia (1959)
Works
Yoshirō Irino's music is mainly published by Zen-On Music Company LtdZen-On Music Company Ltd
is a music publishing company based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in Japan. Zen-On publishes sheet music for sale and rental, including orchestral scores, band and wind ensemble music, solo works and contemporary works, such as Frederic Rzewski's "People United ..." The company was founded in 1931.Zen-On are...
, Ongaku No Tomo Sha,
Stage works, Music for the Noh
Noh
, or - derived from the Sino-Japanese word for "skill" or "talent" - is a major form of classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Many characters are masked, with men playing male and female roles. Traditionally, a Noh "performance day" lasts all day and...
Drama (1962)
Orchestra
- Adagietto and Allegro Vivace (1949)
- Sinfonietta for Small Orchestra (1953)
- Ricercari for Small Orchestra (1954)
- Double Concerto for Violin, Piano and Orchestra (1955)
- Concerto Grosso for Double String and Wind Orchestras (1957)
- Symphonia (1959)
- Concerto for String Orchestra (1960)
- Music for Harpsichord, Percussion and 19 Strings (1963)
- Symphonia No.2 (1964)
- Theme and Variations (1967) for Two ShakuhachiShakuhachiThe is a Japanese end-blown flute. It is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in ABS and hardwoods. It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism in the practice of...
and Orchestra (1973)
Jazz Band
- Suite for Jazz Band (1960)
Chamber music
- Sonata for Cello and Piano (1945)
- String Quartet No.1 (1945)
- Sonatina for Flute and Piano (1946)
- Piano Trio, Op.4 (1948)
- String Sextet (1950)
- Concerto da Camera for Seven Instruments (1951)
- Quintet for Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Cello and Piano (1958)
- Divertimento for Seven Winds (1958)
- Music for Violin and Cello (1959)
- Music for Vibraphone and Piano (1961)
- Partita for Wind Quintet (1962)
- String Trio (1965)
- Three Movements for Two KotoKoto (musical instrument)The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, similar to the Chinese guzheng, the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and the Vietnamese đàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan. Koto are about length, and made from kiri wood...
s and Jūshichi-gen (1966) - Seven Inventions for Guitar and Six Players (1967)
- Sonata for Violin and Piano (1967)
- Duo concertante for Shakuhachi and Koto (1968)
- Three Movements for Cello Solo (1969)
- Sonata for Four Players (1970)
- Trio for H.R.S. '70 for Flute, Violin and Harpsichord (1970)
- Globus I for Horn and Percussion (1971)
- Suite for Viola Solo (1971)
- Globus II for Marimba, Percussion and Double Bass (1971)
- Strömung for Flute, Harp and Percussion (1973)
- Globus III for HichirikiHichirikiThe is a double reed Japanese fue used as one of two main melodic instruments in Japanese gagaku music, the other being the ryūteki. The hichiriki is difficult to play, due in part to its double reed configuration. Although a double reed instrument like the oboe, the hichiriki has a cylindrical...
, Violin, Cello Harp, Piano and Two Dancers (1975) - Klänge for Piano and Percussion (1976) for Marimba Solo (1977)
- Cosmos for ShakuhachiShakuhachiThe is a Japanese end-blown flute. It is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in ABS and hardwoods. It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism in the practice of...
, Two Sō (KotoKoto (musical instrument)The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, similar to the Chinese guzheng, the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and the Vietnamese đàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan. Koto are about length, and made from kiri wood...
), Violin, Piano and Percussion (1978)
Piano
- Variations (1943)
- Three Pieces (1958)
- Music for Two Pianos (1963) (1967)
- Three Little Pieces (1967–68)
- Four Small Pieces (1969)
- Piano Pieces for Children (1972–75)
Vocal (1959) for Mixed Chorus and Percussion (1960) (1966) for Soprano and Tenor with Harp and Harpsichord (1977)
Film music (1958) (1961) (1964); based on the novel by Yukio Mishima
Yukio Mishima
was the pen name of , a Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor and film director, also remembered for his ritual suicide by seppuku after a failed coup d'état...
School songs
- Irino wrote school songs for about two dozen Japanese schools.