Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus: The Symphony of a Legend
07 pm – 09 pm, Fri 10 Jan 2025
National Cinema Center
87 Lang Ha, Hanoi
07 pm – 09 pm, Sun 12 Jan 2025
Galaxy Nguyễn Du
116 Nguyễn Du, District 1, HCMC
Reserve your tickets from 12:00 pm, Dec 26, 2024 from this link
Hà Nội
HCMC
From the organizer:
Few artists leave behind a legacy as profound and enduring as Ryuichi Sakamoto. In his final gift to the world, the beloved composer, pianist, and innovator invites us into his most intimate performance—Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus. Curated and orchestrated by Sakamoto himself, this concert film transcends the boundaries of time, offering audiences an unforgettable journey through his life’s work. The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam is honored to host the exclusive screening of this deeply personal and poignant masterpiece. Join us on January 10, 2025, in Hanoi, and January 12, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, as we celebrate the timeless artistry of Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Born in Tokyo in 1952, Ryuichi Sakamoto began his meteoric rise with his solo debut album, A Thousand Knives (1978). That same year, he co-founded the revolutionary electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) with Yukihiro Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono, forever changing the landscape of contemporary music. Following YMO’s disbandment in 1983, Sakamoto embarked on a prolific solo career, crafting groundbreaking albums and collaborating with artists worldwide. His bold exploration of sound and emotion earned him international acclaim, cementing his reputation as a true musical pioneer. Sakamoto’s genius extended beyond the concert hall to the silver screen. As a film composer, he created unforgettable scores for iconic films such as Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), for which he received a BAFTA, and The Last Emperor (1987), which earned him an Academy Award and Grammy. His compositions remain celebrated for their emotional depth and innovative spirit.
On March 28, 2023, legendary composer Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away after his struggle against cancer. In the years leading up to his death, Sakamoto could no longer perform live.
Single concerts, not to mention sprawling global tours, were too taxing. Despite this, in late 2022, Sakamoto mustered all his energy to leave the world with one final performance: a concert film, featuring just him and his piano.
Curated by Sakamoto himself and presented in his chosen order, the twenty pieces performed in the film wordlessly narrate his life through his music. The selection spans his entire career, from his popstar Yellow Magic Orchestra period to his magnificent Bertolucci film scores, to music from his meditative final album, 12.
Intimately filmed in a space he knew well, surrounded by his most trusted collaborators, Sakamoto bares his soul through his music, knowing this may be the last time that he can present his art.
A celebration of an artist’s life in the purest sense, Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus is the definitive swan song of the beloved Maestro.
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