Takahashi, Yuji

Japanese composer and pianist, brother of AKI TAKAHASHI; b. Tokyo, Sept. 21, 1938. He studied composition with Shibata and Ogura at the Toho School of Music in Tokyo (1954-58) and also trained in electronics with KARLHEINZ STOCKHAUSEN (1963-65). He also studied computer music in N.Y. and attended summer courses at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood (1966-68). He was a member of the Center for Creative and Performing Arts at the State University of N.Y. in Buffalo (1968-69).

In his music, Takahashi follows stochastic procedures as practiced by IANNIS XENAKIS. Like his sister, he also has acquired considerable renown as a pianist in programs of avant-garde music. Among his works are Chromarnorphe I for violin, double bass, flute, trumpet, horn, trombone, and VIBRAPHONE (1963) and II for piano (1964); Bridges I for electric HARPSICHORD or piano, amplified cello, bass drum, and CASTANETS (1967) and II for two oboes, two clarinets, two trumpets, and three violas (1968); Prajna Paramita for four voices, each in one of four instrumental ensembles (1969); Michi-Yuki for chorus, two percussionists, and electric cello (1971); Tadori for TAPE (1972); Kwanju, May 1980 for piano (1980); and Kafka for KEYBOARDS, saxophone, three singers, and live electronics (1990).