“I think he finally came back to embracing the piano again.”

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Great interview with Ryuichi Sakamoto’s son, Neo Sora, about OPUS, his film featuring his father in his final performance. Looking forward to seeing the film (via Pitchfork):

It harkens back to his lifelong fascination with the tension he felt between Western and non-Western music. He started to learn [piano] at three years old, and by age 18, he was totally proficient in the Western classical mode of composing. But at the time, Japan in the late ’60s and ’70s was a time of radical change and revolution, [where people were] criticizing and reconceptualizing the tradition they were steeped in. Simultaneously, he was learning a lot about ethnomusicology and the music of other traditions. So he started to really question this 12-tone system of Western music, and he tried to deconstruct that throughout his life.

At the same time, when the piano has been part of your body and muscle memory for so long, how do you escape that? It just happened to be the most familiar and fluid form of musical expression that he had. He wanted to fully explore its potential, and I think he finally came back to embracing the piano again.

last week's comics this week, 2023w41-42

in

  • If, as Wells says, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN No. 35 sets up the next 25 issues, I'm not intrigued. Gave the three black-costume issues (with a concept that was beyond fascinating and had deep potential and should have been far more than a filler between arcs – I mean, Slott had Doc Ock in Peter's body for how long?) a try but eh: I'm out. At least that JRJR cover was creepily fantastic / fantastically creepy

  • Debut issue of WESLEY DODDS: THE SANDMAN fine but ultimately forgettable: a shame, as he's one of my favorite characters. Glad I read it, but I won't be continuing; at least we'll always have SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE, one of the greatest series of all time (and I did appreciate the nod to the first arc in here).

  • Late pickup, but after three issues, I'm fully "in" on Taylor & Scott's TITANS; I rarely like team books yet I love this. And, because of my lateness in getting the third issue, I only have to wait a week until the fourth. Win win.

  • NIGHTS: wasn't sure at first, but intrigued me enough by the end to make me want to pick up the next issue. Feels like something special brewing here.

  • Debut of DESTINY GATE was a neat premise that failed to hold in execution.

  • While BATMAN & ROBIN No. 2 was beautiful to behold, something's not working for me. Done.

  • Late to the game, but I will buy anything Stan Sakai makes. SPACE USAGI: YOKAI HUNTER one shot was so good. Can’t wait for the next series (and the next issue of USAGI).

  • Take more of my money, Black Label: Christian Ward's BATMAN: CITY OF MADNESS, No. 1 = oh my. One of my favorite writer/artists working today.