Akira Ifukube has died

[armandv]

'Godzilla' movie composer Akira Ifukube dies at 91

Akira Ifukube

Akira Ifukube, the music composer best known for writing the scores of the popular "Godzilla" movies, died in a Tokyo hospital on Wednesday. He was 91.

Ifukube, who gained a wide following through his symphonic, ethnic, works was born in Kushiro, Hokkaido. He studied Ainu music and the music of the Gilyak people of Sakhalin Island, aspiring to write songs that would "pass beyond the uniqueness of races to universal human nature."

He produced a large number of ethnically rich works, mainly based on his own studies.

In 1935 he won the Tcherepnin prize in Paris for his work "Japanese Rhapsody." The composition was performed in the United States the following year, receiving international recognition.

When the Russian Alexander Tcherepnin came to Japan, Ifukube studied modern wind instrument techniques under him. During his career Ifukube served as head of the Tokyo College of Music, and taught many composers.

Altogether, he composed about 400 songs for movies. Among them, he struck a chord with the march he composed for "Gojira" (Godzilla) in 1954, and went on to compose music for many Godzilla movies.

Ifukube won several prizes, including the music award in the Mainichi film competition for "The Burmese Harp." He was handed the government's award for distinguished cultural merit in 2003.

Ifukube's health had deteriorated over the past few years, and he contracted rectal cancer, the cause of his death. The date of his funeral has not yet been decided. (Mainichi)

[CBright7831]

Since we're discussing the great Maestro, I have a question. I've heard different rumors as to why he didn't score Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla in 1994. One of the rumors is he disagreed with Godzilla facing off againmst his space counterpart (according to TOHO Kingdom) and the other rumor is he felt he was to old to score movies and couldn't go on (according to IMDB) but Tanaka eventually talked him into doing Godzilla vs. Destroyah.

Which is true?

[gojira83]

Man, I heard about this earlier today when I was at Kimono My House. The guy running the store asked if I knew who he was and when I told him I did, he said he had some sad news... I was really bummed out and have been listening to lots of his music since I got home(the first song I played was the song thats played during Godzilla's meltdown in "Godzilla vs. Destoroyah"). However he will continue to live on through his music and in our hearts.

RIP, Akira Ifukube, you will be missed...

[GOJI_GKing2000]

Sad sad news.

Rest in peace Ifukube san. This is more incentive to purchase his albums.

As a musician it saddens me that the world has lost such a vibrant voice. What pains me even further is the fact that little of his music has made its way to sheet music, as far as I know. It has all gone with him.

God rest his soul.

GK

[Shigamado]

Thanks go out to Elliot Gay (AKA:Ryouga Sautome) for putting that info on AICN. His passing will be known by more of the mainstream. I don't consider this a sad day. 91 is a VERY long time to live, and he had a very fufilling life. He should be celebrated instead of mourned. He gave us a great gift with his music, and his contributions to Godzilla.

[DannyBeane]

If you believe in the afterlife then try to imagine the music he is creating now with flawless instruments and as many orchestra members as needed we all the knowledge he has gathered in his old age coupled with the energy from his prime. If there is an afterlife, the music there will be fantastic.

[GaryT]

I don't have much I can add to what everyone else has said. It's a very sad day. Ifukube's scores helped me appreciate orchestral music as a child; his work helped shape my musical tastes for my entire life. A terrible loss lightened only by the knowledge that we still have the music and the movies to enjoy.

[RyanClark]

[G-Fan]

[Garasharp K7]

I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said, but Akira Ifukube's themes are amongst the most memorable of the monster and sci-fi genres. Long before I had any of the soundtracks, many of his great themes became etched in my memory. Who among us could hum the main theme for 'Destroy all Monsters' after seeing the film for the first time? Or Godzilla's own theme?
Farewell, Ifukube-san.

[Dr Kain]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Bladefist]

[TerranigmaFreak]

[Joezilla]

[briizilla]

Just really sad news....All of Godzillas "Fathers" have all passed on now.

[pdg3]

RIP Great one

Akira Ifukube, The Master, is Godzilla.

One of the Best parts of being a Godzilla Fan is Master Akira Ifukube's powerful and bone chilling chords. The Music itself Stands by itself as a masterpiece !

1995 Godzilla vs Destroyer marked the last of the Master's new material. The Godzilla series has never really been the same since the great one left the series in 95'.

Thank You for enriching all of our lives.

[MireGoji]

Farewell, Ifukube-san. Your legacy will forever live on in your music.

I can't say I was completely shocked by the news, but it's still a shame. Mind you, I don't think anyone here would argue with me when I say that Ifukube-san had a damn good innings on this planet - 91 years is nothing to be sniffed at.

[Elliot Gay]

[MechaMothra]

I'm lost for words here but this is very sad indeed... RIP.

[Lord Ghidorah]

[Moonlight SY-3]

[baragon123]

That sux hard. I hoped one day to meet this guy.

Akira Ifukube 1914-2006

[walshbeme]

[Giganfan]

You know, if I had to point to one aspect of the Godzilla movies (and the other Toho fantasy films) that I enjoy the most, it has always been, unquestionably, the music. I am very familiar with all of these films, and have been since as far back as I can remember, and the music is a huge part of that. Ifukube-san wrote genuine movie music that stays with you long after the movie is over. That's the main quality of a great musician; longevity. And Akira Ifukube sure had plenty of that. His passing is, indeed, depressing, but he lived to be 91, which is a helluva feat. His music has inspired me, and will continue to do so in the future. RIP maestro, and may you find peace in eternity.

These are my top favorite Ifukube scores (though I do enjoy practically everything that he's done, that I've heard):

Godzilla (1954)
The Mysterians
Varan The Unbelievable
Atragon
Dogora
Ghidrah The Three Headed Monster
Frankenstein Conquers The World
Monster Zero
War of the Gargantuas
Terror of Mechagodzilla
Godzilla vs. Mothra

[Gwangi]