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Ogura, Roh 1916 - 1990

Author: Sudoh, Eiko

Last updated：April 20, 2018

Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

Born in Kitakyushu City in 1916. He was adopted into the Ogura family shortly after birth and grew up in Tokyo and Kamakura. From the age of six, he received his first piano lessons from his elder sister, and influenced by his music-loving uncle, he developed an affinity for Western music.

Around the age of 15, he studied under Shiro Fukai and Akio Sugawara, learning French-style music theory and harmony. Subsequently, while studying harmony and counterpoint with Tomojiro Ikenouchi, and conducting techniques for Beethoven's symphonies with Rosenstock, he became deeply drawn to German classical music. He focused on logical musical development based on modulation and the organic combination of rhythm, melody, and harmony. However, feeling he had reached an impasse, he discarded most of his classical-style works up to that point.

After the war, he became a contract composer for NHK, working on many broadcast pieces. Meanwhile, he found a new direction in Bartók's music and pioneered new ground by using Japanese folk songs and children's songs as themes. Works from this period include Dance Suite for Orchestra (1951) and Nine Unaccompanied Female Choruses based on Children's Songs from the Tohoku Region (1958), known for "Hotaru Koi."

His style is characterized by brisk, vibrant rhythms and a sense of tonality rooted in ethnic sensibility. His piano works include Dance Suite for Two Pianos (1953), Composition I for Piano (1966), and Composition II for Piano (1968). The Composition series is included in Contemporary Piano Pieces for Children (Shunjusha), edited by the Toho Gakuen School of Music for Children. Both are collections of short pieces, and especially those employing rhythm and canon as technical devices are particularly enjoyable to perform.

In addition to musical works, he also published critiques and essays with a sharp critical spirit, as well as paintings. He demonstrated his talent in various fields. His writings include Speaking of Contemporary Music and Japanese Ear. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 74.

Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

Author： Sudoh, Eiko

Author : Sudoh, Eiko

Last Updated: April 20, 2018

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Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

Born in Kitakyushu City in 1916, Roh Ogura was adopted into the Ogura family soon after birth, and raised in Kamakura and Tokyo. From the age of six, he received his first piano lessons from his older sister, and became familiar with Western music through the influence of his music-loving uncle.

Ogura started studying French-style musical grammar and harmonics with Shiro Fukai and Meirou Sugahara around the age of 15. After that, He studied harmonics and counterpoint with Tomojirō Ikenouchi, and conducting with Joseph Rosenstock concentrating how to conduct Beethoven’s Symphonies. He was very devoted to German classical music. He focused on logical music development based on modulations and organic

coupling of rhythm, melody and harmony. But then he hit an obstacle, and destroyed most of his classicism work.

After the war, Ogura became a composer for NHK, and he composed many works that were broadcasted on radio and TV. Meanwhile, he found a new clue to Bartók’s music and pioneered a new composition style with Japanese folk songs and children’s songs. The works of this period include “Dance Suite for Orchestra” (1951) and “Nine Unaccompanied Choruses of Female Voice based on Children’s Song at the Tohoku Region” (1958) which is famous for one of the choruses, “Hotarukoi”.

Ogura’s style is characterized by a dynamic rhythm and an ethnic tonality. He wrote piano works such as “Dance Suites for Two Pianos” (1953), “Composition I for Piano” (1966) and “Composition II for Piano” (1968) . Both Compositions I and II are contained in “Toho Gakuen Children’s Contemporary Piano Music Collection” (Shunjusha Publishing Company). Each work is a collection of small pieces, in which some pieces use rhythmic or roundic

technique. They are very enjoyable to play.

Ogura demonstrated his talent in many ways, not only musical works but also criticisms, essays and paintings with a strict eye and ear. His main works include “Talk about contemporary music” and “Ear of Japan”. He died at the age of 74 in 1990.

Writer: Sudoh, Eiko