Toshi Ichiyanagi

Avant-garde pianist and composer whose works mixed international influences, made unusual use of musicians and instruments, and combined music with other media.

Born on February 4, 1933 in Kobe, Japan.
Died on Oct 7, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan.

Toshi Ichiyanagi studied composition with Kishio Hirao and John Cage, piano with Chieko Hara, Bernhard Weiser and Beveridge Webster. He graduated from Julliard School of Music. When he returned to Japan in 1961, he brought back new musical concepts, including Cage's indeterminacy, into Japanese contemporary music.

As one of the leading composers in Japan, Ichiyanagi has composed operas, orchestral, chamber and instrumental works. While composing large-scale pieces, he also became known for his compositions using Japanese traditional instruments such as sho and gagaku ensemble, performed throughout the world by his Tokyo International Music.

Toshi Ichiyanagi was the first husband of Yoko Ono. They were married from 1956 to 1962.

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