Born in Nagoya. He studied composition and conducting at the Tokyo Academy of Music (now Tokyo University of the Arts), under the tutelage of Pringsheim, Gurlitt, Nobutoki Kiyoshi, and others. From that time, he focused on Japanese texts and melodies, creating works that utilized them. In 1948, after the war, he formed "Chijinkai" with Kishio Hirao, Komei Abe, and others, publishing songs and chamber music. Subsequently, prompted by a commission from NHK, he became devoted to choral works. He left behind numerous masterpieces, such as "Mizu no Inochi" (1964), which are still part of the repertoire of choirs nationwide. As a Catholic, he also composed many liturgical hymns. He was also active as a choral conductor.

Saburō Takata: A Biographical Sketch

Saburō Takata was a composer and conductor who was active in various musical fields. He composed numerous sacred songs for ceremonies, as well as instrumental music.

Early Life and Musical Background

Born on December 18, 1913, Takata grew up in an environment rich in music. His home featured a record player, a novelty at the time, which allowed him to listen to a wide variety of recordings. His father studied Noh chant of the Hōshō school, and his mother practiced sōkyoku (koto music) daily. During his elementary school days, he was surrounded by his brother, who played the shakuhachi, and friends who enjoyed folk songs and biwa music. His brother and sister began learning the piano, and Takata himself started piano studies in junior high school. The proximity of a church to his home also exposed him to Christian hymns early in his life.

Education and Wartime Compositions

In 1932, Takata enrolled in the teacher training course at Musashino Ongaku Gakkō (Musashino Academy of Music), where he studied the fundamentals of harmony under Taijirō Gō. He later became a pupil of Nobutoki and K. Pringsheim at Tokyo Ongaku Gakkō (Tokyo Academy of Music, now the Faculty of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts), graduating in 1939. His graduation work, “Hachijūsōkyoku (Octet),” was composed under the influence of I. Stravinsky. He continued his studies in the graduate course at Tokyo Ongaku Gakkō, completing it in 1941 with “Yamagata-minyō niyoru Fantasy to Nijyū-fuga” (Fantasy and twofold Fugues based on folk songs of the Yamagata region), which was later revised as “Yamagata-minyō niyoru Ballade (Ballade based on Yamagata Folksongs).” Takata further pursued composition and conducting under H. Fellmer and J. Rosenstock. However, due to the escalating severity of airstrikes, he was compelled to relocate to Nagano Prefecture, where he began composing his “Preludes for Piano.”

Post-War Career and Choral Works

After the Pacific War, Takata returned to Tokyo. He dedicated himself to training the younger generation, teaching at Musashino Ongaku Gakkō from 1946 and at Kunitachi Ongaku Daigaku (Kunitachi College of Music) from 1953. In 1948, Takata co-founded the composition group ‘Chijinkai’ with Kishio Hirao, Kōmei Abe, and Kiyohiko Kijima, actively participating until 1955 and performing works such as his “Sonata for violin and piano.”

In 1960, at the request of NHK, Takata began composing works for choir. His first collaboration with poet Kikuo Takano was “Watashi no Negai (My Wish)” in 1961, leading to numerous significant pieces by Takata and Takano that are now staples in many choral repertoires. Notable works include:

• “Mizu no Inochi (Life of Water),” first performed in 1964, which has since been sung in various formations.
• “Kokoro no Shiki (Four Seasons of Mind)” for mixed choir, set to a poem by Hiroshi Yoshino.
• The cantata “Musei Dōkoku (Silent Wailing),” with a poem by Kenji Miyazawa.

These works have consistently left a profound impression on audiences since their premieres. In 1969, Takata was awarded the grand prize of the National Arts Festival for his composition “Kyōjō no Hito (A Man on a Bridge).”

Religious Contributions and Later Life

As a devout Catholic, Takata contributed over 200 pieces of liturgical choral works written in the Japanese language. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Pontifical Order of Pope St. Sylvester from Pope John Paul II in 1992. Saburō Takata passed away on October 22, 2000.

Publications

Takata authored several books, including:

• “Kuina ha tobazuni (Water Rail don’t fly),” published by Ongaku No Tomo Sha in 1988.
• “Koshi kata (Days done by),” published by Ongaku No Tomo Sha in 1996.
• “Hitasura na Inochi (Fervently Life),” published by Kawai Shuppan in 2001.