About

Experience the profound artistry of Ryuichi Sakamoto with Opus, a definitive vinyl collection curated by the composer himself. Spanning decades of groundbreaking work, this 4-LP set brings together iconic film scores, Yellow Magic Orchestra classics, and deeply personal compositions that reflect Sakamoto’s singular musical voice. Highlights include Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Andata, and Aqua, alongside never-before-recorded pieces such as for Jóhann (a tribute to Jóhann Jóhannsson), BB (dedicated to Bernardo Bertolucci), and 20180219 (featuring prepared piano). Opus is more than a retrospective; it’s a final statement from one of the most influential composers of our time. — (via Label)

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Opus is a deeply personal collection of Sakamoto's most treasured compositions. Listening outside the film's context, I wondered whether the tracks would feel untethered and somewhat barren, but instead, they have more colour than their stark visuals. His most beloved songs have space to breathe, such as "Agua," a piece from his 1999 piano solo album BTTB, which gently swirls around its central ascending chords. On a technical level, the piano playing on the album is simple and elegant, if slightly formulaic at times. If you're seeking virtuoso performance or experimental composition, you won't find it here. The true magic of Opus is that Sakamoto, in his declining health, wanted to give us a parting gift at all. — (via Resident Advisor)

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One of the record’s most affecting moments is its rendition of Yellow Magic Orchestra’s “Tong Poo,” presented in a new arrangement at a slower tempo than usual. In its original 1978 incarnation, the song is a taut collage of splatter-painted synth melodies. But on Opus, it’s deeply human, rendering familiar melodies as an elegiac meditation on the time that’s passed since he first recorded it. Two of the new pieces offer similarly thoughtful looks back, paying tribute to lost friends and collaborators: “BB” honors the director Bernardo Bertolucci and “for Jóhann” is dedicated to the composer Jóhann Jóhannsson. In each, Sakamoto conjures powerful feelings from sparse chords. They’re intense documents of grief and love, made all the more moving knowing that their first recording would also very likely be their last performance. — (via Pitchfork)

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— 4LP Boxset
— 45RPM Pressed on heavyweight vinyl
— Encased in a hand-crafted textured slipcase with elegant black foil detailing
— Includes a collector’s booklet with composition notes and credits

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Label: Milan
Format: 4 x Vinyl, LP, 45 RPM, Box Set, Album, Limited Edition
Reissued: 2026 / Originally Released: 2024
Genre: Classical, Stage & Screen
Style: Contemporary, Neo-Classical, Soundtrack

File under: Modern Classical
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