Sadao Bekku

Full biography Sadao Bekku

Sadao Bekku was a renowned Japanese composer born on March 17th, 1922, in Kobe, Japan. He was the recipient of numerous accolades during his career, including the Cultural Award from the Yokohama City Cultural Foundation, which recognized his outstanding artistic contribution to the city.

Bekku's compositions were heavily influenced by Japanese culture, particularly traditional music and traditional instruments. He created a unique blend of traditional and modern music, which cemented his place in the Japanese classical and contemporary music scene.

Bekku's musical career began in the 1940s, when he started working as a composer for radio programs. He gained a considerable following after composing music for NHK's popular children's show "Kodomo no Ongaku," which aired from 1951 to 1960. His compositions for the show became enduringly popular, and many Japanese people still remember them fondly to this day.

Apart from his work in radio, Bekku also composed music for numerous theater productions, film scores, and TV dramas. He collaborated with many respected artists during his career, including renowned playwright and director Toyo Shibata.

In the latter part of his career, Bekku devoted much of his focus to creating symphonic works. He was particularly interested in operatic composition, and his works in this field received widespread acclaim. His final work, "Kaguyahime," was a synthesis of his musical interests, blending traditional Japanese sounds, European opera, and contemporary elements into a striking work of art.

Sadao Bekku passed away on June 28th, 2014. However, his music lives on, and his artistic legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians in Japan and beyond.