Composer

:

Toru Takemitsu

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Sketch

Compose Date

:

1982

Average_duration

:

4:23

Rain-Tree Sketch is a solo piano piece composed by Toru Takemitsu in 1982. It was premiered by pianist Roger Woodward in Tokyo on October 22, 1982. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 10 minutes. The first movement, titled "Hommage à Messiaen," is a tribute to the French composer Olivier Messiaen. It begins with a series of soft, delicate chords that gradually build in intensity. The music then becomes more rhythmic and energetic, with the pianist playing rapid arpeggios and trills. The movement ends with a return to the quiet, introspective mood of the opening. The second movement, titled "Le Baiser de l'Enfant-Jésus," is another tribute to Messiaen, specifically to his piece "The Kiss of the Infant Jesus." It is a slow, meditative movement that features a simple, repeating melody in the right hand accompanied by gentle, flowing chords in the left hand. The music gradually becomes more complex and dissonant, with the melody breaking apart into fragments and the chords becoming more angular and jagged. The movement ends with a return to the peaceful, contemplative mood of the beginning. The third and final movement, titled "Rain-Tree Sketch II," is the most abstract and experimental of the three. It is based on a series of musical fragments that are repeated and developed throughout the movement. The music is characterized by its use of extended techniques, such as playing inside the piano and using the sustain pedal to create a wash of sound. The movement builds to a climax before gradually fading away into silence. Overall, Rain-Tree Sketch is a highly evocative and atmospheric piece that showcases Takemitsu's unique blend of Western classical music and traditional Japanese music. The piece is notable for its use of delicate textures, subtle harmonies, and unconventional playing techniques, and has become a staple of the contemporary piano repertoire.

More....