Ryuichi Sakamoto (left) and Tin Drum members recording Kagami in 2020
Courtesy Tin Drum
Kagami
Ryuichi Sakamoto and Tin Drum
Manchester International Festival
I AM sitting at Ryuichi Sakamoto’s feet, watching the legendary musician and composer play his prize-winning score for the 1983 film Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence on a grand piano. I watch his fingers move precisely on the keys, his concentration, the folds of his jacket as he hunches over the instrument. Tears well in my eyes inside the headset I am wearing, and I am only vaguely conscious of the …