Ian Chung channels spirit of Ryuichi Sakamoto
“I was born in Japan but I don’t think I’m Japanese. To be a stranger, I like that attitude.”
These words, attributed to composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto in the 1980s just a couple of years prior to his move to New York, capture the very essence of an artist who was often a complete enigma, even to his very devoted fans.
Best-known as a member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra and as a soloist, Sakamoto was responsible for a discography that was both wildly innovative and responsible for the rise of several genres of electronic music that would come later in his storied life. Responsible for nearly 50 film scores over the years, Sakamoto was the very first Japanese composer to win an Oscar, for 1987’s “The Last Emperor.”
In short, Ryuichi Sakamoto was simply a giant of modern music. That is, if one can focus and see him clearly through the fog and noise.
One artist who certainly has done his homework on Sakamoto is composer Ian Chung, who is based in Seoul. On his latest single, Chung teams up with London-based cellist Akito Goto to pay tribute to an artist that both consider central to modern music itself.
“Ryuichi Sakamoto’s influence on my work, and particularly on ‘All the Little Lights in Tokyo,’ is profound and multifaceted,” Chung stated recently to The Korea Times. “First and foremost, it’s his boundless creativity and innovative spirit that have always inspired me. Mr. Sakamoto was a pioneer who seamlessly
blended genres, from electronic music to classical compositions, creating soundscapes that were both avant-garde and deeply emotive.”
However, Chung’s admiration for Sakamoto is not limited in any way to only the man’s artistic creations.
“Beyond his music, Mr. Sakamoto’s life and his stance on various social issues also inspired me,” Chung was careful to note. “His activism and commitment to environmental causes, his courage in facing personal health challenges and his overall integrity as an artist and human being have profoundly influenced not just the music I create, but the way I strive to live my life.
“In essence, Ryuichi Sakamoto has been a guiding light in my journey as a composer.”
But how does one distill such a multifaceted legacy into one single? Given Chung’s dedication to everything Sakamoto was about, it must have been a bit of a challenge to try and do so with “All the Little Lights in Tokyo.”
“As always, without loudly declaring ‘I am Ryuichi Sakamoto,’ he subtly enhanced each scene in the film, contributing to the message and completeness without overdoing it,” Chung said. “‘In memory of Ryuichi Sakamoto’ in the ending credits still resonates deeply with me.”
On “All The Little Lights In Tokyo,” Chung has teamed up with London-based Japanese cellist Akito Goto, but not for the first time. The two first worked together on a previously released single, “Life Goes On.”
For this single to continue the pair’s ongoing collaborative journey, Goto’s input as Chung saw it was essential, and it’s not in what one hears per se on the single that is important.
“In working with Akito for the second time, it was clear that our collaborative synergy had only grown stronger, allowing us to explore more complex emotional landscapes and push the boundaries of our creative expression,” Chung enthusiastically noted. “His contribution to ‘All the Little Lights in Tokyo’ was invaluable, not only in terms of the technical excellence he brought to the piece but in the way his performance captured the essence of the tribute’s emotional and narrative depth.”
Naturally, since Chung also spent key years growing up in Ireland, Canada and Australia, Sakamoto’s music, much like his worldly attitude, transcends simple neighborhood tendencies. While also being greatly influenced by his native country, Chung has a very international outlook quite akin to Sakamoto’s own — although unlike Sakamoto, he does very much consider himself Korean in the classical sense.
Ireland especially, much like Sakamoto’s time in New York, shaped Chung as an artist. “The cultural resonance between Koreans and the Irish, with our shared depths of joy and sorrow, the pure, unpolished honesty of the people and the rich tapestry of history, literature and music, all play pivotal roles in shaping my music.”
Chung also noted Sakamoto’s own deep relationship with Korea, having scored several Korean films over the years and been influenced greatly by Paik Nam June, which in turn has made Sakamoto a household name among aspiring Korean composers and soloists.
And this is an important aspect of Chung’s tribute to Sakamoto: bridging the gap — and it can often be a yawning one — between Japan and Korea.
“Music, inherently, acts as a bridge for empathy, understanding and connection across cultural divides,” Chung emphasized. “This piece seeks to highlight the commonalities shared across all cultures — a recognition of our shared humanity, emotions and narratives. In crafting and sharing this work, my goal has always been to positively contribute to the global cultural tapestry, encouraging listeners to appreciate the beauty and depth of human expression in its myriad forms.”
This sentiment, it would seem, is one that Ryuichi Sakamoto himself would most certainly approve of.
Ian Chung’s “All the Little Lights in Tokyo” featuring Akito Goto, is available on all platforms.