Below are four of my favorite composers. All of them, except for Bartok, are well known for their work in film composing. I have always been interested in composing for theater and film and have been able to do some work in this area. These people have been my inspiration since I was very young.

I first became aware of the tremendous power of music in film with Ligeti. I became aware of him when I was eleven years old when I saw the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." I will never forget the impact of the music I heard in the scene on the moon when the scientists find the monolith. The music described an indescribable moment in a fantasy. Further on in the movie it made moments extremely moving in a way that nothing else could.

Next I found Bartok while living in Boston at the age of 16. His music opened up a world to me that was like a wonderland. I wanted to be there, to spend my life there if I could. I realized the power of composing music that could create a world of beauty, an entire universe or a state of mind, (which is the same thing). I performed "Allegro Barbaro" for my senior recital. His music was once described as "rocks rolling down a hill" but that is very superficial. It's more like a different planet.

The next composer was Philip Glass. At 23, his music made me want to stand up and cheer, because I understood it immediately. I felt as though he had taken my ideas and taken them to another level. He understood me, I understood him. I moved to New York and went to New York University with the purpose of working with him in some way, and I managed to write my dissertation about him, his work and the people around him. Since then he has written many film scores and other pieces for piano, ensembles, operas and orchestras.

Finally, Ryuichi Sakamoto was originally a pop star (Yellow Magic Orchestra was big in Japan in the 1970's) but was writing for film as early as the 80's. He is also an actor (In Japan, many musicians are actors as well) The first time I heard of him was in the movie with David Bowie, "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" in 1983 when I was 27. That movie affected very much at the time, especially Sakamoto and the music, which he had written. I didn't come across the music again until the late '90s when a piano student by chance found in on the internet. Since then I have found more of his work and have discovered a wealth of treasures, especially in the film music area.

I like other kinds of music and other composers, but I am very particular about what I listen to. I am happy to share these four with you and I hope you give them particular consideration.

Click on the picture for a larger image.

Ryuichi Sakamoto Listen to Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence	Philip Glass Listen to Closing
György Ligeti Listen to Autumn in Warsaw	Béla Bartok Listen to Allegro Barbaro