Toyoko Takami Explained

Toyoko Braun Takami (born January 1, 1945) is a Japanese composer and music educator who teaches music in Germany.^[1]

Takami was born in Shimane, Japan,^[2] to a family which included a music teacher and a composer. She studied piano as a child, then received a B.A., a music education diploma, and an M.A. at the University of Tokyo.^[3]

Takami moved to Germany in 1971, where she studied with Harald Genzmer at the University of Munich. Takami taught music in German schools in Bruhl and Hiirth.^[4] Her composition So-Mon won an Honorable Mention in the Sixth International Women Composers’ Competition. Her compositions include:

Chamber

• Quintet (clarinet and string quartet)
• Sextet (four saxophones, marimba and vibraphone)
• So-Mon (flute, bassoon and organ)^[5]
• Wind Quintet

Orchestra

• Symphonic Movement
• Two Symphonic Movements

Vocal

• “Four Songs” (baritone and piano)
• “So” (voice, flute, cello and percussion)
• “Three Songs” (baritone and piano)

Notes and References

1. Book: Hixon, Donald L.. Women in music : an encyclopedic biobibliography. 1993. Scarecrow Press. Don A. Hennessee. 0-8108-2769-7. 2nd. Metuchen, N.J.. 28889156.
2. Book: Heinrich, Adel. Organ and harpsichord music by women composers : an annotated catalog. 1991. Greenwood Press. 978-0-313-38790-6. New York. 650307517.
3. Book: Cohen, Aaron I.. International encyclopedia of women composers. 1987. 0-9617485-2-4. Second edition, revised and enlarged. New York. 16714846.
4. Book: Rothenberg, Florie. Music for Clarinet and String Quartet by Women Composers. University of Arizona. 1993. dissertation.
5. Book: Boenke, H. Alais. Flute Music by Women Composers: An Annotated Catalog. 1988. ABC-CLIO. 978-0-313-26019-3. en.