Electronic Music 7 Variations (1957)

Abstract

Program note for Toshiro Mayuzumi’s contribution to the serial electronic work, ‘Shichi no Variation’ (‘Variations of 7’, or ‘7 Variations’), a collaboration with fellow Japanese composer Makoto Moroi carried out at the NHK electronic music studio in 1956. Here, Mayuzumi describes the structure of the seventh and longest variation, the sound sources and techniques used, and his general thoughts regarding electronic music. First published as a program note to the concert ‘An Evening of Contemporary Music, No. 1: Ars Nova’ at the Dai-ichi Semei Hall in Tokyo on 28 March 1957, this text appears here translated into English for the first time.