Ichyanagi

Born in 1933 in Kobe (Japan), Toshi Ichiyanagi studied composition with Kishio Hirao and John Cage, piano with Chieko Hara, Bernhard Weiser and Beveridge Webster. When he returned to Japan in 1961, he brought back new musical concepts, including Cage's indeterminacy, within Japanese contemporary music.

As one of the leading composers in Japan, Ichiyanagi has composed operas, orchestral, chamber and instrumental works. While composing large-scale pieces, he also became known for his compositions using Japanese traditional instruments such as sho and gagaku ensemble, performed throughout the world by his Tokyo International Music.