Ryuichi Sakamoto
1996

Do you think there is a limit for a composer? I've wondered this many times, continually listening to virtuous musicians who, no matter how well they play, fail to evoke emotions in their audience.

Personally, I believe these artists aren't worth much, that most critics are superficial, and that people settle for little. Under the weight of these dark thoughts, I shut myself off, thinking that no song was more than a "senseless group of notes": all of a sudden, I felt what it truly meant to play... I felt what true music is.

In the player, a disc by a Japanese composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto. The disc was "1996", and I listened to it attentively from the first to the last note. The sensation that overcame me was beautiful, it was as if the notes of that piano were coming not from the keys, but from his heart, laying bare his soul; my throat dried up, I closed my eyes and focused; I could perfectly feel all the emotions Sakamoto was experiencing in that instant, I felt his suffering, his yearning, but also his joy, his delight, his love.
For me, Sakamoto is the greatest composer and performer of all time, I feel embarrassed to describe his music, as words lose meaning in the face of this man's greatness. The album "1996" is perfect in execution and delicate in its contents, complex in form, decisive, sweet, and harmonious from a melodic point of view.

Every single note is thought through and holds the composer’s decision and strength, as he doesn’t only compose music but also poetry. He knows how to instill tranquility and calm, with a particular technique: he often plays using only the last seven keys of the piano, the sharpest, the most abrasive, the least used ones; yet Sakamoto, accompanied by stylistically modest and unassuming violinists, manages to give each note a different meaning, to imbue them with feelings, to make them come alive. Not a single uncertainty, each piece is vigorous and fragile at the same time. Masterpieces like "Bibo no Aozora", "Rain", "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence" are the ultimate product of a man weaving notes and emotions together with his piano, opening his heart to anyone who wishes to read it. As I listened to these pieces, I didn’t realize I was smiling. Every insecurity in me had vanished, only peace and tranquility had found space in my heart.

I have often asked myself if there is a limit for a composer: I haven't found an answer, but I know that if it existed, Sakamoto would have surpassed it a long time ago.
Enrico Massaro