Toru Takemitsu ： Two Melodies

Toru Takemitsu’s *Two Melodies* is a piano work that invites the listener to appreciate the relationship between two melodies while attending closely to their contours and lingering resonance. Rather than focusing only on the number of notes, it is important to hear the stillness between phrases and the time in which the sound gradually fades. In performance, clarify the direction of each melody without separating the voices too mechanically. Use the pedal to sustain the resonance while avoiding blur, shape changes in volume without haste, and give the soft passages a clear inner core. When the two melodies seem to draw closer or move apart, carefully distinguishing their tone colors and pauses can bring out the work’s delicate expression.