Karen Tanaka

Techno Etudes for Piano

Composer's NoteIn January 1999, I was asked by Tomoko Mukaiyama to write a new piano piece for her. Originally she requested that the piece should synchronize with techno music chosen by her which would be pre-recorded on a tape. As we discussed the piece over the following months, we realized that a solo piano work without a tape part would be more substantial. However, the idea of techno remained constantly between us. Finally I wrote a set of three pieces, entitled 'Techno Etudes'. The idea of the whole piece can be summarized with the three key words; techno, rhythm and speed.
Karen Tanaka