Ryuichi Sakamoto - Music for Yohji Yamamoto Collection 1995

Bridge is a modern classical work for solo piano lasting over 35 minutes. It weaves itself through subtle variations of a central theme. The work begins with the mysterious and ambient soundscapes of prepared piano. It also features the soft hum of vibrations of open piano strings akin to Cowell's experimental work, The Banshee. As the mysterious air clears 5 minutes later, the first cluster of ordinary piano notes are sounded. The theme is pensive and melancholic. It builds itself into cascading notes in the upper registers of the piano, like glistening waters passing beneath a stoic bridge. The shimmering notes crescendo into a fine choral passage. It is that special moment that the beautiful heart of Bridge is revealed.

But slowly, the piece descends into quiet desolation (a chilling prelude to the rarely heard Bachata from BTTB) by marrying subtle variations of the theme with ambient vibrations of piano strings. The piece then cycles itself through the earlier themes with greater force - almost violent now - and collect at the basin of the earlier choral passage, loud, crying with emotionality. The work finally closes with the quiet air of desolation, like the inevitability of water evaporating into thin air.

All good things must come to an end after all, and Bridge is no exception.