Kan Ishii

Kan Ishii (石井歓, Ishii Kan, 30 March 1921 in Tokyo, Japan – 24 November 2009 in Yokohama, Japan) was a Japanese composer, and the brother of composer Maki Ishii. His father, Bac Ishii (石井漠, Ishii Baku, 1886–1962) was a prominent Japanese ballet dancer. His Symphonia Ainu won a prize at the 1958 Art Festival, inspiring him to do further work inspired by nationalist primitivism. His musical style appeals directly to the emotions, and shows the influence of Carl Orff. In addition to orchestral and vocal music, he has written extensively for the stage, including 6 operas, 3 ballets and 9 film scores, including the 1962 science-fiction film Gorath. Ishii accepted a position as professor at Shōwa College of Music in 1986.

Selected works

• Marimo (ballet)
• Sinfonia Ainu for soprano, chorus and orchestra
• Suite from Marimo for orchestra
• Going in a Wide Plain for wind orchestra
• Music for Percussions by Eight Players
• Sonata for viola and piano (1962)
• Preludes for piano
• The Music for Flute (flute solo)
• Songs of a Withered Tree and the Sun for male chorus and piano
• Japanese Folk Songs for voice and piano
• Gorath (film score)

References

• Kanazawa, Masakata. "Kan Ishii", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (accessed May 20, 2006), grovemusic.com (subscription access).
• Kan Ishii at the Internet Movie Database