Composer

:

Toru Takemitsu

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Sketch

Compose Date

:

1992

Average_duration

:

4:16

Rain-Tree Sketch II is a contemporary classical composition by the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. It was composed in 1992 and premiered on October 17, 1992, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa. The piece is a tribute to Olivier Messiaen, a French composer who was a major influence on Takemitsu's music. Rain-Tree Sketch II is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 15 minutes. The piece is scored for a large orchestra, including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp. The title of the piece refers to the rain tree, a type of tree found in Southeast Asia that is known for its delicate leaves and branches. The piece begins with a soft, shimmering texture in the strings and percussion, evoking the sound of rain falling on the leaves of a tree. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the woodwinds and brass adding layers of color and texture. The harp plays a prominent role throughout the piece, adding a sense of ethereal beauty to the music. As the piece progresses, the music becomes more complex and dissonant, with the different sections of the orchestra playing off each other in intricate counterpoint. The percussion section becomes more prominent, adding a sense of urgency and energy to the music. Despite its modernist tendencies, Rain-Tree Sketch II is a deeply expressive and emotional work. Takemitsu's use of color and texture creates a vivid sonic landscape that is both beautiful and haunting. The piece is a testament to Takemitsu's unique voice as a composer and his ability to blend Eastern and Western musical traditions into a seamless whole.

More....