Work of the Week - Toru Takemitsu: Tree Line

Trees play a central role in the life and work of Toru Takemitsu. The Japanese composer named his first daughter Maki ('pine tree') and he wrote his well known 'Music for Trees'  as early as 1961. A row of acacias lining the slope  in front of his study inspired him in 1988 to write Tree Line, 'as an hommage to these graceful and yet dauntless trees'.  This tender and evocative piece lasts 13 minutes.

 

The Niew Ensemble Amsterdam has dedicated their upcoming concert series to Takemitsu’s music.  Called "Confronting silence : the mirrors of Toru Takemitsu"  it tours Holland  between the 1st and 5th March.  Tree Line will be one of the featured works along with music by composers influenced by Takemitsu: Toshio Hosokawa with his piece In Ajimano and Thomas Larcher whose new work Nocturne - Insomnia will receive its world première .