Yamamoto, Naozumi 1932 - 2002
Author: Nakatsuji, Maho
Last updated：April 24, 2018
Author: Nakatsuji, Maho
Naozumi Yamamoto was a composer and conductor active in the latter half of the 20th century. His grandfather was a prominent businessman, his grandmother was the younger sister of writer Takeo Arishima, his mother was a pianist, and his father was composer and conductor Naochika Yamamoto. Furthermore, his wife and eldest son were also composers, and his second son was a composer and cellist, making his family a musical one.
Born in Tokyo on December 16, 1932 (Showa 7), Naozumi Yamamoto received his initial musical training from his parents. He received his musical education at Jiyu Gakuen and studied violin under Saburo Sumi. He learned conducting from Hideo Saito, and among his fellow students were Hiroyuki Iwaki, with Seiji Ozawa as a junior. Before entering university, he began assisting Urato Watanabe with composition work. In 1952, he enrolled in the composition department of the Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Music, but transferred to the conducting department in his third year, studying under Akio Watanabe. In 1967, he appeared on the NHK television program 'Ongaku no Hana Hiraku' (Music Blossoms), where his conducting in a red tuxedo gained popularity, leading him to appear in a commercial known for the catchphrase 'Big is good.' In 1972, he co-founded the New Japan Philharmonic with Seiji Ozawa. From the same year, he served as the planner and music director for the TBS television program 'Orchestra ga Yattekita' (The Orchestra Has Arrived), contributing to the expansion of classical music's reach. In 1983, he planned the '10,000-Person Ninth Symphony Concert' for the opening of Osaka-jo Hall, continuing as conductor and music director until 1998. He received the 44th Japan Record Award Special Achievement Award.
His works include the entrance march for the Sapporo Olympics and a piece commissioned by the United Nations, as well as 'Ichinensei ni Nattara' (When I Become a First Grader), 'Utae Ban Ban' (Sing Bang Bang), and 'Kobuta Tanuki Kitsune Neko' (Pig, Raccoon Dog, Fox, Cat). He also composed numerous television broadcast scores, including for the Taiga dramas 'Kaze to Kumo to Niji to' (Wind, Clouds, and Rainbow) and 'Takeda Shingen,' and the variety show 'Hachiji Dayo! Zen'in Shugo' (It's 8 O'clock! Everyone Gather Round). Among his film scores, the theme song for 'Otoko wa Tsurai yo' (It's Tough Being a Man), directed by Yoji Yamada, gained particular popularity. Even after his passing on June 18, 2002, works composed by Naozumi Yamamoto continue to be widely cherished.
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Last Updated: April 24, 2018
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Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Family Background and Early Life
Naozumi Yamamoto was active as a composer and a conductor in the latter part of the 20th century. His grandfather was a famous businessman, his grandmother was a sister of the famous Japanese writer, Takeo Arishima, his mother was a pianist, and his father, Naotada, was a composer and conductor. Naozumi’s wife and his elder son are moreover composers as well, and his second son is both a composer and a cellist. In other words, Yamamoto’s family is a highly musical family.
Yamamoto who was born in Tokyo on December 16 in 1932, and he learned the basics of music from his parents. He received music education in Jiyū Gakuen and studied the violin under Saburō Sumi. His teacher of conducting was Hideo Saitō and a fellow pupil and friend was Hiroyuki Iwaki. One of the younger pupils was Seiji Ozawa.
Education and Career Beginnings
Before studying at the university, Yamamoto began to assist with compositional work under Urato Watanabe. Yamamoto entered the Department of Composition at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1952, but he transferred to the Department of Conducting during his third year and studied with Akio Watanabe.
Public Recognition and Contributions to Music
In 1967, Yamamoto appeared on the NHK television program “Ongaku no hana hiraku (Opening the Flowers of Music)”. Yamamoto became renowned for his conducting while wearing a red tuxedo, and he subsequently appeared in a commercial which was famous for the catchphrase ‘Ōkii-koto ha yoikoto-da (A big thing is a good thing)’. in 1972, Yamamoto established a new Japanese philharmonic orchestra with Seiji Ozawa. From the same year, Yamamoto was in charge of the planning and musical direction of the TBS television program “Orchestra ga yattekita (The orchestra has come)”, and he contributed to the expansion of the range of classical music. He planned ‘Ichi-man nin no daiku concerto (Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Concert by 10.000 people)’ for the opening of the Osaka-jō Hall (Osaka Castle Hall) and continued conducting as well as his work as musical director until 1998. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Prize of the 44th Japanese Record Award.
Compositions and Legacy
His compositions include:
- the entrance processional march for the Sapporo Olympic
- a piece commissioned by the United Nations
- “Ichinen-sei ni nattara (When I become the first year of elementary school)”
- “Utae banban (Sing and Sing)”
- “Kobutanukitsuneko (Piglet, Racoon Dog, Fox and Cat)”
- many pieces for television, such as for the historical TV drama series “Kaze to Kumo to Niji to (Wind, Clouds, and Rainbow)” and “Takeda Shingen”, and the variety program “Hachi-ji dayo Zenin Shūgō (It’s eight o’clock, gather all members)”
- the title song to the film “Otoko ha tsurai yo (Life is hard on a Man)” directed by Yōji Yamada which became very popular.
After his death on June 18 in 2002, the works of Yamamoto continue to be loved.