Inspiration comes in many colours. Oliver Knussen heard a messenger from another world in the song of a Japanese cuckoo. Mark-Anthony Turnage’s viola concerto turns rough magic into poetry, and Tōru Takemitsu heard, as well as saw, the colours of his garden.

Afternoon Performance: Fantasia: From Japan to Paris

City Halls

Esbjerg Ensemble's opening concert has the sea as its theme. The concert begins with three festive sailor's songs by the English Malcolm Arnold. The sea continues to play a role in Bruun's Letters to the Sea , which has given its name to the concert. Here, it is very much about an inner sea, inspired by the author Ursula Andkjær-Olsen : "You could write a letter to the sea and ask it to lie down..." . 

Letters To The Sea – Opening Concert

Southern Denmark Conservatory of Music

The grandeur of the sea has enthralled the artistic imagination since the dawn of time. Like painters and poets, composers from Beethoven to Wagner and Rimsky-Korsakov to Led Zeppelin have aspired to capture the massive force of our oceans in their work. Our fascination with this natural resource is primal and unceasing. In this program, the music of Maurice Ravel, Toru Takemitsu, and Ralph Vaughan Williams brings the sea to the concert stage, from its calmest to its most majestic beauty.

EPSG:4326

To The Sea

Barnstable High School

Harpist Isabella Cambini plays her master exam concert with music by CPE Bach, Takemitsu, Liszt and Schubert.

A Harp's Tribute to Piano

Norwegian Academy of Music

Isai Hernandez performs a recital of works by Takemitsu, Higdon, Ellington and more.

Student Degree Recital: Isai Hernandez M.M. trumpet recital

University of Maryland

SFCM’s Faculty Artist Series is presented as an annual concert series featuring SFCM faculty in performance. This series showcases our world-class faculty to our community and audience members in personally curated repertoire.

FAS: Dimitri Murrath, viola & Julio Elizalde, piano

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Tickets for this performance go on sale in mid-July, but you can reserve your seats today by becoming a New World Symphony subscriber. New World Symphony subscribers play a vital role in launching the careers of the world’s best young musicians and enjoy the lowest ticket prices on the best seats in the house.

Chamber Music: Dvořak + Ravel

New World Center

### Ravel's Romantic Reverie - A Valentine's Day Concert

**Date and Time:**  
Friday, February 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM

**Venue:**  
Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center  
501 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202, United States

**Event Description:**  
Celebrate Valentine's Day with an enchanting musical experience at "Ravel's Romantic Reverie," presented by the Louisville Orchestra. Under the masterful direction of conductor Ken David Masur and featuring the acclaimed pianist Louis Lortie, this concert promises to be a memorable celebration of love and romance.

**Program Highlights:**

- **Toru Takemitsu's Star Isle:**  
  Embark on a celestial journey with this mesmerizing composition, setting the perfect romantic backdrop for the evening.

- **Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major:**  
  Experience the magic of Louis Lortie’s piano artistry as he performs Ravel’s exquisite concerto, transporting you to a world of romance and emotion.

- **César Franck’s Selections from Psyche:**  
  Delve into the depths of love with these captivating pieces, sure to tug at your heartstrings and add a touch of romanticism to the evening.

- **Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2:**  
  Rediscover the timeless classics with Ravel’s enchanting suite. Let the lush orchestration and evocative melodies sweep you away to a world of passion and enchantment.

**Special Features:**

- **Pre-Concert Activities:**  
  Arrive early to enjoy complimentary Heine Brothers Coffee and a pre-concert talk hosted by 90.5 WUOL, enhancing your concert experience.

**Tickets:**  
Secure your tickets now and treat your loved one to an unforgettable Valentine's Day experience. 

**Support:**  
This event is made possible with significant support from 90.5 WUOL Classical Louisville.

Join us for "Ravel's Romantic Reverie," a concert that celebrates love, romance, and the beauty of music. Make this Valentine's Day truly special with an unforgettable performance at Whitney Hall.

Ravels Romantic Reverie – A Valentine’s Day Concert

The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

Der Ozean. Unendliche Weiten, blaue Wogen, schimmernde Wellen. Fast alle Komponisten haben sich irgendwann einmal von ihm inspirieren lassen. Doch dieses Konzert bringt keine sanft plätschernden Beachclub-Sounds, sondern geht aufs Ganze. Der Japaner Toru Takemitsu setzte mit „Toward the Sea“ 1981 im Auftrag von Greenpeace ein Statement gegen den Walfang und orientierte sich dabei an „Moby Dick“. Ebenfalls ein Seemonster ist der Leviathan, in diesem Fall aus der jüdischen Mythologie. Der neuseeländisch-griechische Komponist John Psathas nutzte die Figur für ein spektakuläres Schlagzeugkonzert für das trommelnde Energiebündel Alexej Gerassimez – und zugleich als Mahnung an den Klimawandel, auf Initiative der UN. Anna Clyne wiederum begreift das Meer als Metapher für das Weibliche. Ihr packendes Stück „Restless Oceans“ schrieb sie für ein reines Frauenorchester; uraufgeführt wurde es zur Eröffnung des Weltwirtschaftsforums in Davos 2019. Eines ihrer Idole dürfte Amy Beach sein: Deren „Gaelic Symphony“ von 1894 ist die erste Sinfonie einer weiblichen amerikanischen Komponistin und erinnert an schottische und irische Volkmusik.

Ozeanblau

Prinzregententheater

From nocturnes to lullabies to Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, music  and the night have long been linked. But what exactly makes music sound  like nighttime? Join Parlando as conductor Ian Niederhoffer explores  the music of the night. The program includes Gabriel Fauré’s serene  Nocturne from Shylock, Toru Takemitsu’s eerie Toward the Sea II,  featuring flautist Yoobin Son and harpist Parker Ramsay, music from  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s dreamy Flute and Harp Concerto, and Bartok’s  legendary Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta.

Night Music

Kaufman Music Center

From nocturnes to lullabies to Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, music and the night have long been linked. But what exactly makes music sound like nighttime? Join Parlando as conductor Ian Niederhoffer explores the music of the night. The program includes Gabriel Fauré’s serene Nocturne from Shylock, Toru Takemitsu’s eerie Toward the Sea II, featuring flautist Yoobin Son and harpist Parker Ramsay, music from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s dreamy Flute and Harp Concerto, and Bartok’s legendary Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta

Parlando: Night Music

Friday Concert № 1

Volkshaus Jena

Downtown Chamber Series August 2024

Arizona Center

Join us for an enchanting evening of percussion music featuring the talented Blake Parker at the Northwestern Bienen School of Music. This student recital, part of Blake's Bachelor of Music program under the guidance of She-e Wu, promises a diverse repertoire that spans the globe and challenges the boundaries of traditional percussion music.

**Event Details:**
- **Date:** Saturday, May 25, 2024
- **Time:** 6:00pm CDT
- **Location:** Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall, Ryan Center for the Musical Arts, 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, United States
- **Admission:** Free, no tickets required

**Performers:**
- **Blake Parker** on percussion
- **Special Guests:**
  - Joelle Chen, violin
  - Claire McLean and Stephen Symank, marimba

**Program Highlights:**
- Gabriela Ortiz, *Atlas Pumas*
- Philippe Hurel, *Loops II*
- Vinko Globokar, *Toucher*
- Tokuhide Niimi, *For Marimba I*
- Toru Takemitsu, *Rain Tree*

The Galvin Recital Hall, with its breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, provides the perfect backdrop for this event. The hall's acoustics, enhanced by undulating walls of Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood covered with African moabi wood, ensure an immersive listening experience.

This recital is not just a showcase of Blake Parker's skill and dedication to his craft but also an opportunity to experience the vibrant and innovative world of contemporary percussion music. Join us for a night that promises to be as educational as it is entertaining.

For those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the event will be available, ensuring you don't miss this remarkable performance.

Don't miss this opportunity to support emerging talent and enjoy an evening of exceptional music.

Blake Parker, percussion

Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall

Ellen Reid is this season's Composer in Residence at The Concertgebouw. During her Amsterdam adventure, she’s writing a piece for the Concertgebouw Orchestra as well as performing with them. ‘The most important thing is that the evening tells a story.’

Composer in Residence Ellen Reid

The Concertgebouw

This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the degree Master of Music. Amichai Hefter is a student of James Dunham.

Amichai Hefter, Viola

Alice Pratt Brown Hall

In a programme inspired by folk music, we’re delighted to welcome Japanese conductor Nodoka Okisawa to the podium. Jazz and blues style writing, meets funeral music and an unusually melancholic yet cheerful waltz in fellow Japanese musician, Toru Takemitsu’s 3 Film Scores. Developing her own unique compositional voice, Kikuko Kanai was one of the first Japanese women to compose Western classical music, whilst retaining her Okinawan musical heritage. Devoted to transcribing folksongs, she used these as the basis for her own works, including her Okinawa Fantasy Suite.

Folk Fusions – Japan meets Eastern Europe

Wales Millennium Centre

The Carnegie Mellon Harp Studio will perform a chamber recital comprised of students of Gretchen Van Hoesen, Artist Lecturer in Harp at the Carnegie Mellon School of Music and Principal Harp of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. This recital will also feature other Carnegie Mellon students from various musical disciplines. 

Carnegie Mellon Harp Studio Chamber Recital

Carnegie Mellon University

When you combine a flute and a harp with the velvety sound of a viola, the results are pure enchantment. Three Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra players perform mini-masterpieces by Rameau, Takemitsu and Bax.

Elegy

The Music Room

Join us for an enchanting evening of classical music with the CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra's presentation of "Symphonie Concertante" on Sunday, September 24, 2023. This captivating concert will take place from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the serene St. Noel Catholic Church, located at 35200 Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills, OH, 44094, United States.

The program for the evening features a selection of masterpieces that showcase the depth and diversity of classical music. The lineup includes George Walker's poignant "Lyric for Strings," Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's exhilarating "Concerto in C major for 2 Violins, K. 190," Toru Takemitsu's mesmerizing "Waltz," and Joseph Bologne's dynamic "Symphonie Concertante in B-flat major, Op. 6, No. 1."

Highlighting the event will be performances by the exceptionally talented soloists Jung-Min Amy Lee and Kyung Sun Lee on violins, bringing their virtuosity and passion to the stage.

This event promises to be a memorable experience for classical music enthusiasts and newcomers alike, set against the backdrop of the beautiful St. Noel Catholic Church. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of classical music with the CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra.

Symphonie Concertante

St Noel Church

This semester's edition of the Music Department's Fête musicale features an eclectic selection of works performed by faculty and friends of the Music Department. The musicians are Rachel Rudich, flutes; Francisco Castillo, oboe; Carolyn Beck, bassoon; Kira Blumberg & Cynthia Fogg, viola; Maggie Parkins, cello; Alison Bjorkedal, harp; Jeremy Swem, euphonium; Stephen Klein, tuba; Ken Rosser & Jack Sanders, guitar; and Barb Catlin & Kyungmi Kim, piano in selections by Barb Catlin, Adolphus Hailstork, Bud Powell, Nino Rota, Steve Swallow, Tōru Takemitsu and Barbara York.

Fête musicale 2023

Pomona College

The Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble utilizes a flexible instrumentation of winds, brass, and percussion to perform repertoire from standard concert band works to contemporary compositions of various instrumental combinations. 

Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble

Schenley Farms Historic District

Martinů and Mozart

Downtown Ithaca Alliance (The Ithaca Commons)

Movie Night

CongressCentrum Pforzheim CCP

Hailed as a “legend of the cello” by The New Yorker, Marcy Rosen joins forces with GRAMMY Award-winning violist Kim Kashkashian and the “invariably energetic” Catalyst Quartet (New York Times) for a rare performance of Erich Korngold’s Sextet in D Major—a work full of bustling energy and sweeping melodies. Against All Odds showcases music by composers who faced significant hardship and oppression during their lives.

Catalyst Quartet Kim Kashkashian, viola Marcy Rosen, cello

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

This colorful program highlighting a variety of music styles features the work of two influential French composers. César Franck’s expressive and fiery piano quintet will be performed alongside Claude Debussy’s only string quartet, an avant-garde tapestry of textures infused with the compositional stylings of Franck. Special guest Blake Pouliot, a Colburn alumnus beloved for his “immaculate, at once refined and impassioned” playing (ArtsATL), joins Colburn students for both works. Rounding out the program is a fugal masterwork by Mozart showcasing the bass and an innovative contemporary work by Tōru Takemitsu that blends Eastern and Western sounds.

From Fugue to Fantasia: Debussy, Mozart, and More, with Blake Pouliot, Violin

Colburn School

What happens when music breathes, when sound drifts like mist, or lingers like falling rain? For Japanese composer Tōru Takemitsu, silence was as meaningful as any note. One of the most important voices of the postwar era, Takemitsu drew deep inspiration from nature, composing music that feels both intimate and expansive, rooted in stillness and mystery. 

In Between Sound and Silence, the London Sinfonietta brings Takemitsu’s world to life. You'll hear his beautiful, meditative works such as - Rain Coming, and And Then I Knew ’Twas Wind - alongside music by composers who inspired him, including Debussy, Messiaen, and Webern. Their influence helped shape Takemitsu’s unique sound: rich in colour, alive with detail, yet always deeply human. 

Takemitsu - Portsmouth

Guildhall Square

At the center of the program is Debussy's beloved, La Mer. Debussy's score is the iconic French orchestral masterpiece of the twentieth century, ever fresh, beloved, endlessly imitated by other composers. It is the ultimate orchestra seascape, quintessentially French and as salty as they come.

TAKEMITSU / DEBUSSY / MAHLER Concert

Boston Symphony Hall

Toru Takemitsu: Between Sound And Silence

Southbank Centre

When conductor Jun Märkl and violinist Stefan Jackiw last performed together with the VSO, The Vancouver Sun described their collaboration as “stellar”. Ten years later, they reunite to present Prokofiev’s emotionally intense Second Violin Concerto. Takemitsu’s meditative Ceremonial contrasts the euphoric finale of Brahms’ First Symphony, a fitting homage to the composer’s hero, Beethoven.

Toru Takemitsu

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 18, 2026

Martinů and Mozart · Cayuga Chamber Orchestra

Jan 25, 2026

Movie Night · Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim

Feb 1, 2026

Catalyst Quartet Kim Kashkashian, viola Marcy Rosen, cello · Philadelphia Chamber Music Society

Feb 8, 2026

From Fugue to Fantasia: Debussy, Mozart, and More, with Blake Pouliot, Violin · Colburn School

Feb 11, 2026

Takemitsu - Portsmouth · London Sinfonietta

Past events

Oct 30, 2025

Afternoon Performance: Fantasia: From Japan to Paris · BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Sep 25, 2025

Letters To The Sea – Opening Concert · Esbjerg Ensemble

About

Toru Takemitsu hasn't added a bio