Canon (from The Piano Book)

The Piano Book is a collection of method-like piano pieces composed for each lesson for Maki Takemitsu (daughter of Toru Takemitsu), who is said to be the composer's only piano student.

A canon refers to a musical form in which multiple voices strictly superimpose and perform the same melody. Sumer Is Icumen In, written in the 13th century, is considered the oldest existing work in canon form, and a famous example would be Canon by the Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706).

This piece is in 3/4 time and is 16 measures long. Although no key signature is indicated, it has the sound of G major. From the tempo marking of quarter note = 120 to 128, one can perceive a sense of forward momentum and musical direction even within the relaxed triple-meter melody. Throughout the piece, the left hand strictly imitates the right hand's melody, delayed by one measure, and both hands play a flowing, beautiful melody.