That something would remind me so strongly of the American symphonist William Schuman baffles me greatly. Nevertheles...like waves crashing on the beach from different angles.

From what I've heard, I view Yashiro and Takemitsu as Japan's greatest composers. And, among contemporary composers, Yashiro's pupil Akira Nishimura.

While it does sound very "soundtracky'' and a bit John Williams-ish, the work is very interesting, compellingly imaginative and quite ahead of it's time (1958!) in sound architecture. A John Williams work in a similar vein only came out in the 70s (Close Encounters). Who knows who was inspired by who, but Akio definitely was ahead in this work.

Does anyone hear odd textural echoes of Messaien's "Turangalila" Symphony in the latter half?

🏵️🍋😉🌿

Wonderful!

The greatest piece of music Wagner never wrote!

I love the percussion around 17:40 This 20th century stuff is not my cup of tea, but this piece is quite enjoyable.

Has this been used in film? Definitely sounds like i’ve heard it in an old akira kurosawa film

This work will be timeless and will continue to give moisture and humility to people,s hearts . From Tokyo in the dizzying megalopolis ablaze with neon .

This sounds like the score to the best movie never made

Sounds kinda like the soundtrack for Time Bandits

His music is scaring and exciting together wp

In the first movement his Messaien really sounds off. Reminds me of Turingalila.

I'm happily reminded of John Williams, and thus Stravinsky. Very enjoyable, with instrumentation / sound combinations I've never heard before.

The beginning is marvelous

nice

It's hard to understand how a Japanese composer in 1958 could compose so effectively in the European tradition.

@Zack Wyvern It *is* the European tradition. The Classical tradition *is* the European tradition. That is its roots. You could add the quantifier that it's the "European Classical tradition" because there are other traditions in other countries where their's is considered "classical" -- this includes literature, as well, such as the "classics" such as the Chinese classics or the "sinology" -- but "classical" refers to a very European tradition. Stop trying to wipe away the European roots of the tradition. *You* seem to be the one that is bigoted if you believe that Europeans don't have a right to their own culture.

@mANDROna Grove They are. It comes out in modern classical music a lot. You just don't hear it in pop music.

@mANDROna Grove It's not a "european tradition" anymore. It's a classical tradition. It can be formalized, made into theory, and made universal. "World music" was never formalized, but rather just folk music. If you stop thinking about everything in terms of "what country made it" and start thinking of "music that is structured and can be taught" then you will get your bigoted view out of your head, surely.

because corporations need to keep westerners dumbed down to a certain extent.

Then why aren't more westerners influenced by more world music? It's more that European music is seen as paramount and superior which is a shame.

The entrance of the violins at 15:28 is absolutely eerie.  Beautiful composition.

@vemonds me too!

Amazing symphony. I also love his piano concerto.

I love it