A composer is an artist who creates music for musicians to play or perform. A classical composer may begin by sketching down musical notation and practising on the keyboard. The initial melody and harmony of a piece of music will be created and written (composed) by a music composer, and the arranger will take the composition and work through the melody, harmony, bass lines, and rhythm of the music, pairing it with the intended ensemble. Here are some outstanding Japanese composers whose music will surely delight your ears.
1. Joe Hisaishi
Since 1981, Mamoru Fujisawa, best known by his stage name Joe Hisaishi, has worked on over 100 films and solo albums as a composer and musical director. The piano scores of Hisaishi are well-known.
2. Ryuichi Sakamoto
As a solo artist and part of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, Ryuichi Sakamoto is a Japanese composer, pianist, vocalist, record producer, and actor who has explored a wide range of styles. Sakamoto inspired and pioneered a variety of electronic music genres with his comrades Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi.
3. Yoko Kanno
Yoko Kanno is a Japanese composer, arranger, and musician who has composed music for anime films, television series, live-action movies, video games, and ads. She was born in Japan's Miyagi Prefecture, in the city of Sendai.
4. Nobuo Uematsu
Nobuo Uematsu is a Japanese composer and musician famous for his work on Square Enix's Final Fantasy video game series. He started playing the piano at the age of twelve, and one of his main influences was English singer-songwriter, Elton John.
5. Akira Yamaoka
Akira Yamaoka is a musician from Japan. He is well known for creating various Konami video games, including the Silent Hill series. Yamaoka also worked on the franchise as a producer and composer for the Silent Hill film and sequel.
6. Junichi Masuda
Junichi Masuda is famous for his work on the Pokémon franchise as a video game composer, director, designer, producer, vocalist, programmer, and trombonist. Masuda took on additional positions in subsequent projects as the development of new Pokémon games progressed. Beginning with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, he began producing and directing games, as well as approving new character models. His approach is to keep games accessible while yet increasing their complexity.
7. Kenji Kawai
Kenji Kawai is a composer and arranger from Japan. He has worked on a broad range of mixed media products, including anime, TV series, films, and video games, and is known as one of the top names in the soundtrack business.
8. Toshio Hosokawa
Toshio Hosokawa is a modern classical music composer from Japan. He studied in Germany before returning to Japan, where he developed a unique style influenced by traditional Japanese music and culture. He has written operas, oratorios, and instrumental music, including the oratorio Voiceless Voice in Hiroshima.
9. Somei Satoh
Somei Satoh is a contemporary music composer from Japan. His works incorporate elements of Japanese court music, European romanticism, and electronic music. His musical career began in Tokyo with the experimental mix media ensemble "Tone Field."
10. Nozomi
Born on March 2, 1931, in Japan, he is a composer and arranger. His work on anime soundtracks has made him famous. Nozomu Aoki is sometimes attributed improperly.
