Composer

:

Toru Takemitsu

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1979

Average_duration

:

8:06

"Les Yeux Clos II" is a composition for solo guitar by the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. It was composed in 1989 and premiered the same year by the guitarist Kazuhito Yamashita. The piece is part of a series of works by Takemitsu that explore the relationship between sound and silence, and the concept of ma, which refers to the space between sounds. The composition is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, marked "Très lent," is characterized by a slow, meditative pace and a sense of introspection. The guitar is used to create a series of delicate, shimmering textures, with the notes ringing out and blending together to create a sense of harmony and unity. The second movement, marked "Très expressif," is more dynamic and energetic, with the guitar taking on a more virtuosic role. The notes are played with greater speed and intensity, and the music is marked by sudden shifts in dynamics and mood. The movement is characterized by a sense of tension and release, with the guitar alternating between moments of frenzied activity and periods of calm reflection. The final movement, marked "Très calme," returns to the introspective mood of the first movement. The guitar is used to create a series of gentle, flowing melodies, with the notes blending together to create a sense of fluidity and motion. The movement is marked by a sense of serenity and tranquility, with the music gradually fading away into silence. Overall, "Les Yeux Clos II" is a hauntingly beautiful composition that showcases Takemitsu's mastery of the guitar and his ability to create evocative, atmospheric music. The piece is characterized by a sense of introspection and contemplation, with the guitar used to create a series of delicate, shimmering textures that evoke a sense of harmony and unity.

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