Takemitsu, Toru : Corona for pianist(s)
Work Overview
Instrumentation：Piano Solo
Genre：Various works
Total Playing Time：22 min 30 sec
Copyright：Under Copyright Protection
Commentary (2)
Author : Sudoh, Eiko
Last Updated: April 24, 2018
[Open]
Author : Sudoh, Eiko
"Corona for Pianist" is a piano piece composed in 1962, utilizing graphic notation. During this period, when the indeterminate music of American avant-garde composer John Cage was introduced to Japan, Takemitsu also assimilated this new music and engaged in experimental endeavors. Following "Ring for Flute, Lute, and Guitar," composed and highly acclaimed the previous year, this piece became his second indeterminate work. The score was a collaboration with graphic designer Kohei Sugiura.
The performer combines five colored squares—blue, red, yellow, gray, and white—and translates the geometric figures drawn on them into sounds. Each of the five colors has its own significance and time specification, noted as:
- Blue = Practice of resonance, as slowly as possible
- Red = Practice of intonation, 2 or 4 minutes
- Yellow = Practice of articulation, as quickly as possible
- Gray = Practice of expression, 1, 3, or 5 minutes
- White = Practice of dialogue, no time limit
The combination of colors is free, and both the starting and ending points are arbitrary. The performer may use other keyboard instruments such as celesta or harpsichord in addition to the piano. The performer's creativity is required in interpreting and expressing the significance of the colors and the geometric figures.
Author : Sudoh, Eiko
Last Updated: April 24, 2018
[Open]
Author : Sudoh, Eiko
“Corona for Pianist(s)” is a piano piece written in graphic score in 1962. The composer Tōru Takemitsu tried to use the new composition technique, ‘music of indeterminacy’, which was devised by American avant-garde composer, John Cage, and
introduced to Japan at this time. Following “Ling for a Flute, a Lute and a Guitar” which was composed in the previous year and got good reviews, “Corona for Pianist(s)” became the second piece in which he used ‘music of indeterminacy’. The score was written in collaboration with graphic designer, Kohei Sugiura.
The performer combines five squares of blue, red, yellow, ash and white, and makes sounds according to the geometric shapes drawn there. The five colors have their own distinct significances and the time lengths as follows; ‘blue = practice for resonance, as late as possible’, ‘red =practice for intonation, 2 or 4 minutes’, ‘yellow = practice for articulation, as fast as possible’, ‘ash = practice for expression, 1 minute, 3 minutes or 5 minutes’, ‘white = practice for dialogue, no time limit’. The performer can combine colors in free ways. They can start and end anywhere. In addition to the piano, the performer may use other keyboard instruments such as the ceresta or the harpsichord. How the colors and the geometric shapes are interpreted depends on the creativity and improvisation of the performer.