Toshi Ichiyanagi, popularly known as an Avante-Garde composer who was previously married to Yoko Ono before she tied the knot with John Lennon, has passed away at the age of 89.
According to ABC News, the tragic news was confirmed by the Kanagawa Arts Foundation where he worked as a general artistic director. Kazumi Tamamura issued a statement after the musician's death.
"We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all those who loved him during his lifetime," the foundation's chairman wrote.
As of this writing, the pianist's cause of death has not been revealed to the public, but a private funeral is being held by his closest friends and family. It was reported that a public ceremony would take place in the future to honor his legacy and contribution to music.
Per Japan Today, Ichiyanagi completed his studies at The Juilliard School in New York City. He became popular by using a different kind of technique whenever he composes music as he incorporates traditional Japanese sounds and instruments with electronic music.
In addition to his unique contribution to the music industry, he also collaborated with some of the innovative artists known in the scene like Merce Cunningham and Jasper Johns.
Toshi Ichiyanagi's Connection to Yoko Ono
For artists within his home country of Japan, he previously teamed up with poet-playwright Shuji Terayama, architect Kisho Kurokawa, and his ex-wife Yoko Ono.
In 1952, John Lennon's widower arrived in New York and enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College. Her family was supportive of her pursuing her studies, but they didn't like her lifestyle.
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Years later, she left college to elope with Ichiyanagi. Their relationship didn't last as both of them filed for divorce in 1962. Ono lived with her parents again, but her mental health worsened as she was diagnosed with clinical depression, leading her to stay in a Japanese mental institution for a short time.
Toshi Ichiyanagi's Contribution to Music
The famed composer was known to push the boundaries of music as he would often experiment with sounds and different traditional instruments from Japan.
In a previous interview, he said, "In my creation, I have been trying to let various elements, which have often been considered separately as contrast and opposite in music, coexist and penetrate each other."
His love for Japanese traditional music gave him the drive to continue his work.
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