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Pioneering Composer Isao Tomita Dies at 84

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May 8, 2016 2:00 AM
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Jul 2009
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Nippon Columbia announced on Sunday that Isao Tomita, the composer who pioneered use of the synthesizer in music arrangements, has died from chronic heart failure at the age of 84. Tomita collapsed at his home in Tokyo's Shinagawa ward on Thursday, May 5, and was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died before 3 p.m. local time.

Tomita, who was born in Tokyo in 1932, studied art history in Keio University but also took private music lessons with composers Kishio Hirao and Koujirou Kobune. While still a student, Tomita began working on music programs created by public broadcaster NHK. He began working as a full-time composer after graduation in 1955 and composed music for films and television dramas over the next ten years.

In 1965, Tomita created his first composition for an anime series, Osamu Tezuka's Jungle Taitei. A symphonic poem he wrote based on that music later received an honorable mention at the National Arts Festival held by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture. Tomita also went on to work on Ribbon no Kishi (1967) and Dororo (1969).

During a visit to Osaka in 1969, Tomita encountered the Moog III-C modular synthesizer at an imported records store. Two years later, he personally acquired a Moog III-P synthesizer and began building his home studio for experimenting with electronic music. In 1974, his second studio album Tsuki no Hikari (known in the United States as Snowflakes Are Dancing) became a worldwide success, earning four nominations in the 17th Annual Grammy Awards. The album also reached the top of Billboard's classical music chart that year.

Tomita's latest composition, "Symphony Ihatov," held its first concert performance in 2012 featuring Hatsune Miku as a soloist. At the time of his death, Tomita was also preparing for the performance of his new composition titled "Dr. Coppelius," which is planned for November 2016.

A private funeral for Tomita is being held on Sunday and Monday with family members in attendance. A public memorial service will also announced at a later date.

Source: Mantan Web
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May 8, 2016 2:07 AM
#2

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Oct 2013
65
Rest in Peace.

Respect from another student of Music.
May 8, 2016 4:20 AM
#3

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Oct 2008
4666
Rest in peace you legend.
May 8, 2016 4:27 AM
#4

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Apr 2015
235
Rest in peace. I for one will miss all you had to offer.
May 8, 2016 5:24 AM
#5
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Feb 2015
154
Man, what is it with 2016 taking away all the good musicians?
May 8, 2016 6:06 AM
#6

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Mar 2015
47025


listening just like some year ago because it original version got rebroadcasted in my local TV... nostalgia...

RIP...
"If taking responsibility for a mistake that cannot be undone means death, it's not that hard to die. At least, not as hard as to live on."
May 8, 2016 6:38 AM
#7

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Dec 2009
2626
RIP, Isao Tomita.
May 8, 2016 6:41 AM
#8

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Mar 2015
20157
He was a great musician. What a loss for music. I discovered his music listening the Bach Fantasy album. My favorite music is The Sea named Solaris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVF45Kn_ZYg

RIP.

If you like this type of electronic music i recommend Larry Fast (Synergy project) albums. Here is link to his second album Sequencer (1976):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bywvgMrEx4
DanilloMartinsMay 8, 2016 6:49 AM
May 8, 2016 6:50 AM
#9
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Jul 2018
564612
Hope he rests in peace.
May 8, 2016 6:58 AM

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Jun 2008
547
oh no :/
Rest in peace

May 8, 2016 7:54 AM
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Sep 2014
1
May you continue making music in the after life
Keep Trying No Matter What, Sooner Or Later It Will Succed
May 8, 2016 8:22 AM

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Apr 2007
156
Another great musician lost. RIP.
May 8, 2016 8:58 AM

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Sep 2013
22818
This guy actually embraces then new wave like Hatsune Miku unlike that Miyazuki guy.
R.I.P.
May 8, 2016 10:05 AM

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Aug 2013
282
Rest in peace. You will be missed.
May 8, 2016 10:41 AM

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Feb 2012
18
noooooooooooooo
May 8, 2016 11:52 AM

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Nov 2011
127887
Another musician gone this year. RIP :(
May 8, 2016 12:49 PM

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Sep 2010
965
Rest in peace, Tomita-san!

"to the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." -a magnet
May 8, 2016 12:52 PM

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May 2014
2605
RIP I really liked Kimba The White Lion :'(
May 8, 2016 9:38 PM

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Jan 2014
905
Rest in peace, you beaut. Thanks for staying hip and young.

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May 9, 2016 11:18 AM
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Dec 2014
9
That sucks, rest in peace you legend (you deserve it).
May 15, 2016 11:35 AM
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May 2015
2133
May his soul rest in peace.

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