Kordz x Sakamoto
Festive tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto
11 Nov 2023 — 23 Mar 2024
Together with Kordz (Alexandre
Kordzaia), Asko|Schönberg pays
a special tribute to the (film)
composer and synthesizer pioneer
Ryuichi Sakamoto, who died in 2023.
Ryuichi Sakamoto made his international breakthrough
around 1980 with synthesizer pop, which opened doors
for generations of (pop) musicians after him. Many
still look to the music from that early period for
inspiration. One of them is producer and composer
Alexandre Kordzaia (1994), better known as Kordz,
who – in addition to Sakamoto – cites Ravel,
Stravinsky, Prince and James Brown as sources of
inspiration. His music has the same cheerful
energy and musical creativity as that of early
Sakamoto. With his synth and electro pop, Sakomoto
opened doors for generations of (pop) musicians
after him.
The Swiss-Georgian producer and composer Alexandre
Kordzaia (1994), better known as Kordz, made a
rebellious arrangement of Sakamoto's best-known
and lesser-known work. The specially created
lighting design by lighting artist Boris Acket
enhances the music. Sakomoto was best known for
his music for films such as Merry Christmas,
Mr.Lawrence, The Last Emperor and The Revenant.
For Asko|Schönberg, Kordz took the knife to
Sakamoto's early work and, with the master's
permission, wrote a piece with the same cheerful
energy and musical creativity. Kordz x Sakamoto
premiered in the Muziekgebouw at the Holland
Festival in 2021, after which several successful
performances followed.
The composition is supported by the Performing Arts Fund NL.
Alexandre Kordzaia
Kordz x Sakamoto
Asko|Schönberg
Kordz keys
Boris Acket stage & light
photo: Kordz door Irakli Chelidze, Giorgi Nakashidze