Composer Isao Tomita will turn 84 this year, but that won't stop him creating a synth soundtrack for a dancing hologram, to realize the dream of his ballet dancer (and rocket scientist) friend who passed away in 1999.
Tomita, a pioneering synthesizer musician, wrapped up the finale of his latest project — a series of symphonic performances that premiered in 2012 called "Symphony Ihatov" — in November 2015. And now (though he is unable to give away too many details), he says he is almost ready to reveal his newest composition, "Dr. Coppelius."
"I was once told by Dr. Hideo Itokawa that his dream was to dance in a duet with a hologram, so I've decided to make his wish come true," Tomita tells The Japan Times. "Actually, two thirds of (the composition) is finished, and it's set to be performed around March," he says, as he brings out the booklet for the 2011 reissue of his album "Planets." He flips through the pages until he finds a photograph of Itokawa on stage during a 1977 performance by his group Kaitani Ballet, a show that was accompanied by Tomita's music.