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The Jaapanes harpsichordist, organist, conductor and composer, Genzoh [Genzo] Takehisa, began learning the harpsichord in his home-town Matsuyama in 1969 at age 12. His higher education includes a degree in musicology, majoring in rhetorical theory of 16th and 17th European music, from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts.
Japan-wide tours as a professional began in 1984, with Genzoh Takehisa performing works ranging from those from the Middle Ages to those of modern composers. He began composing and arranging in 1986, and continues to the present. "Simply convincing, incredibly effective," said music critics about Genzoh Takehisa's interpretation of Buxthehude's compositions for the organ along with his own oratorio, "Creation." The accolades came during tour of Germany by Musica Poetica, a Japanese group led by Yumiko Tanno, director of the Tokyo Heinrich Shutz Choir.
Genzoh Takehisa's recording career has been eventful, producing nearly two dozen CD's of mainly Renaissance and Baroque selections, released on ALM and Aeloian labels. They demonstrate his virtuosity on harpsichord, organ, and fortepiano. Pieces from his CD's such as the Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) and the Realms of the Keyboard Music Series (Vol. 1-6), accompanied by Takehisa's essays, became special discs of the Record Geijutsu magazine.
Genzoh Takehisa also wrote the landmark essay "New People Make New Music" and directs his own ensemble, Conversum Musicum, which has four CD's. He is a dynamic performer and accomplished composer who seeks to continue working across an ever-broader range. |
