Recorded and filmed as he was dying of cancer, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Opus” — the Japanese film composer's posthumous album and documentary of the same name — is clearly meant to be his final farewell.
It showcases solo piano versions of the film scores that form the pillars of Sakamoto’s legacy.
A poignant black-and-white documentary film by his son Neo Sora documents the recordings, spread out over a period of days because of Sakamoto’s weakening health.
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Sakamoto wanted to record his performance while he still could. He felt so drained after the recordings, and his condition worsened.
He died on March 28, 2023, in Tokyo. He was 71.
“In some sense, while thinking of this as my last opportunity to perform, I also felt that I was able to break new ground,” he said in a statement accompanying the project.
Here is a man unafraid to face his catalog of works and give it his own personal interpretation, knowing it would be his last.
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Ryuichi Sakamoto's last performance, a concert film featuring just him and his piano.
Teaser Trailer:
https://youtu.be/-S_mHCkxBWw
All the songs on “Opus” were immaculately recorded in Tokyo’s NHK 509 Studio, performed without an audience in 2022. The piano pedal shift, and, at times, his breathing, are present.
This testament to Sakamoto’s music underlines an artist's commitment to his work that was there, to the very end. The tagline on the album reads: “Art is long, life is short.”
The album “Opus” is set to be released Friday from Milan Records.