It is not easy to describe Kitaro's music in words. The musician combines the sound of ordinary musical instruments with an unusual attitude. The works of the Japanese multi-instrumentalist are known all over the world. In 2000, the author received a Grammy for Best New Age Album.
Masanori Takahashi has no professional education. And the renowned composer does not know music. He uses his own special method to record music. The performer, composer, arranger and director himself creates the lighting design for the concerts. In addition, he is an excellent photographer and professional pyrotechnician. Despite his many merits, Kitaro's man is very humble.
The beginning of the path to the heights
The biography of the future celebrity began in 1953. The boy was born on February 4 in the city of Toyohashi. With parents, hereditary peasants, he grew up on a farm. Music fascinated the kid from childhood, but he had to learn himself. The guy who mastered the electric guitar founded the band "Albatross". As a drummer, he played with the Far East Family Band.
After graduating from the Graduate School of Commerce in his hometown, the graduate went to Tokyo to pursue a professional career on stage. In the mid-seventies, Takahashi became a keyboard player, switching to a synthesizer. Klaus Schulze helped to master the new instrument. Now Western and Eastern motives are combined in the music of the Japanese author. Solo performances began in 1976. The stage name became the nickname given by school friends to the name of the Japanese cartoon hero, Kitaro.
From under the pen of the composer came out completely different music. The listeners received their first album in 1978. "Ten Kai" became a cult hit. The author was the first to combine the cultures of Europe, America and the East, proving that they are able to sound harmoniously together. The compositions were featured in the documentary television movie "Silk Road". Meditative melodies have brought the creator worldwide recognition.
Confession
In 1979, a new collection, The History of the Full Moon, was released. Like the debut, it was recognized as a cult creation of the then new direction of New Age. The composer himself called his works sacred music.
In 1987 the disc "The Light Of The Spirit" was released. In 1993, the Japanese author wrote the music for the film Heaven and Earth. She won the Golden Globe Award. And 5 years later, the tracks for the film "Sisters of the Sun" were recognized as the most original music and were awarded the "Golden Horse" prize. For the album "Thinking of you" in 2001, the composer was awarded the prestigious Grammy award
In 1983, the Japanese musician made a personal life. Marriage with Yuki did not stand the test of distance: her husband worked in America, his wife worked in Japan.
Family and creativity
Keiko became the second wife of Kitaro, who played keyboards with him. The family has two children.
In 2006 the couple presented their joint work Spiritual Garden. Kitaro's latest collection, "Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai, Volume 5", was released in 2017. In total, the master has created more than fifty discs.
He continues to follow the national traditions, participating in ceremonial concerts in tribute to Mother Nature. They are held annually in August.
He is sure that music changes a person, so the master's dream is to awaken the brightest sides of the soul with his works.
