Ryuichi Sakamoto | Ryuichi Sakamoto and Taeko Onuki Joint Press Conference

Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano featuring Taeko Onuki

Ryuichi Sakamoto and Taeko Onuki Joint Press Conference

Ryuichi Sakamoto, who completed a 24-date domestic tour across Japan in spring 2009 and a highly acclaimed 27-date European tour across six countries over two months in autumn, concluded his tour year—a year he described as the first time he had toured so extensively—with seven performances of "Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano featuring Taeko Onuki" in Osaka, Yokohama, and Tokyo, joined by Taeko Onuki.

Text by OPENERSPhoto by commmons

An album of "Taeko Onuki Sings Ryuichi Sakamoto Songs" is scheduled for release this autumn from commmons!

During the "Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano featuring Taeko Onuki" performances, a dress rehearsal and press conference were held before the show on December 26th at Tokyo International Forum Hall C. This marked the duo's first stage collaboration in approximately 10 years. As the tour progressed from its start in Kansai, the dress rehearsal was enveloped in a sense of moderate tension, while the joint press conference proceeded with a relaxed atmosphere during the Q&A session.

— How did Ms. Onuki come to participate in this performance?

Ryuichi SakamotoAround the beginning of this year (2009), Ms. Onuki approached me with the idea of "I want to write lyrics for your songs and sing them, and create an album." I readily agreed, and this is the unveiling of that project. We plan to release an original full album next autumn (2010).

— 2009 was truly a tour year for you, Mr. Sakamoto. How do you look back on it?

SakamotoI'm exhausted (laughs). But for musicians like us who can perform live, it felt like returning to our true form as artists. Before Edison invented the phonograph, music existed only as live performances. As long as our legs can carry us (laughs), we'll keep performing live, though I don't want to do this many shows (laughs). When you're on a long tour, you start to feel like Mao Asada, thinking, "I had a flawless performance today!" (laughs).

Taeko OnukiI used to not understand what athletes mean when they say they "prepare and prepare to peak for the main event," but now I do.

SakamotoI understood it this year too (laughs).

— How was 2009 for you, Ms. Onuki?

OnukiIt was a busy year. My acoustic concert series, which had continued for 22 years, came to a conclusion as the quartet had to disband due to a member moving to America. I've also found myself singing as a guest more often, as Mr. Sakamoto mentioned. While creating my own albums is important, I also want to focus on delivering my songs through live performances.

— When collaborating with you this time, Ms. Onuki, has Mr. Sakamoto's piano playing style changed?

SakamotoRight before the rehearsals for "Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano featuring Taeko Onuki," I was on a European tour for about two months, playing the piano solo. However, when accompanying a vocalist, the playing style naturally has to be different. For example, I've been playing "Tango" throughout the tour, essentially singing with the piano. When we started rehearsals for this, and I played "Tango," Ms. Onuki was singing, and I was also singing with the piano. Our expressions clashed, and we couldn't quite harmonize on the first day. For "Shikisai Toshi" (City of Colors), which I'm playing in this performance, it's the first time I've played it in about 30 years since creating the original track. I'm grappling with how to express the atmosphere of that track with just a piano. Even though it's still playing the piano, it's a completely different endeavor, so it's challenging and I'm exploring it tentatively.

— Mr. Sakamoto, could you tell us about the appeal of Ms. Onuki's vocals?

SakamotoThat's a difficult question. We often create tracks and then perform them live. In my life, Ms. Onuki is the person who has arranged my music the most. Around 30 years ago, I think I have close to 100 songs? But back then, I barely listened to the vocals. I have this condition where I can't hear the singing (laughs); I only perceive vocals as an instrument. I truly lack a sense for singing (laughs), but the core of Ms. Onuki's singing, while it has certainly evolved over more than 30 years, I suspect hasn't changed fundamentally. Perhaps.

— Ms. Onuki, please tell us about the appeal of Mr. Sakamoto's piano playing.

OnukiMr. Sakamoto's playing has a unique groove, and I always feel the off-beats. I don't particularly like when it pushes too hard forward. This time, his piano playing is wonderful, with a very sensual, light, and transparent touch. I'm truly delighted to be able to sing along to it.

SakamotoIn the past, my piano touch was quite strong. This time, I'm playing with the intention of producing beautifully articulated notes.

— What songs are planned for the album?

Sakamoto"Tango" went well in the live performance. "Biba no Aozora" (Beautiful Sky) was created about 15 years ago, and for me, it's an instrumental piece. So, there's no problem with adding new lyrics. What do you think?

OnukiMr. Sakamoto's songs allow each listener to create their own story. Perhaps it's like sun-drying them first (laughs), removing the color, and then re-dyeing them.

— Thank you. I'm looking forward to the album.

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