- Date: 1988
- Composer: Toru Takemitsu
- Period: Modern (1910-1949)
Review
Toru Takemitsu came to musical maturity just after World War II, and for several years rejected the use of Japanese music in any form, probably because of its association with the militarism that brought on that destructive conflict. Later he softened his avant-garde language, turning both to Japanese aesthetics and music and to the music of the French composers Claude Debussy and Olivier Messiaen. By the time this was written, many of his compositions (and this one is a great example) took on aspects of a Japanese garden: they are formally balanced, austere, intended as a reflection of nature, and conducive to meditation. And, above all, subtle.The "Tree Line" of the title is a row of luxuriant acacia trees lining a gently sloping road along which the composer enjoyed walking. Located near the villa in the mountains where Takemitsu worked, the trees always caused his weary mind to feel rested once he had walked under them. "This work was written as an homage to those graceful yet dauntless trees," Takemitsu indicates.
The piece offers lovely colors, a restful slow harmonic rhythm using chords similarly to Debussy's, a gentle rising melody in the middle of the piece, and a scattering of glides in strings and woodwinds, as well as some passages with microtones, a Japanese element. ~ Joseph Stevenson, All Music Guide
