Tōru Takemitsu
Tōru Takemitsu (October 8, 1930 - February 20, 1996) was a Japanese composer, best known for his works "Requiem for strings" (1958) and "November Steps" (1967). His music drew from various influences including European classical composers including Olivier Messiaen and Claude Achille Debussy, jazz, popular music, avant-garde and traditional Japanese music.
Zappa about Takemitsu
When Zappa visited Japan on 31 January 1976, he was asked during a press conference who his favorite classical composers were. Apart from Edgar Varèse, Igor Stravinsky, Krzysztof Penderecki and Toshiro Mayuzumi, he also named Takemitsu.[1]
"I like other things in contemporary music, too, particularly Takemitsu. He's one of my favorites."
"I think 'November Steps' (by (Tōru Takemitsu) kicks the shit out of 'Turangalila'"."
