Blab Music
Ryuichi Sakamotos Legacy Continues: New Memoir, Berlin Exhibition, and Posthumous Releases
On 24 September 2026, a new English‑language memoir will bring Ryuichi Sakamoto’s life to readers worldwide. "Music Sets You Free: A Memoir" stitches together the translations of two Japanese memoirs—"Music Makes You Free" and "How Many More Times Will I Watch the Full Moon Rise?"—into a single volume. Translated by Sam Bett, the book offers an intimate portrait that traces Sakamoto’s first encounter with a piano, his ascent to global pop stardom, and his later reflections on mortality after multiple cancer treatments.
Pre‑orders opened on 26 June and are available through HarperVia’s online store. The release follows the 2024 post‑humous launch of "Opus", a recording of Sakamoto’s final performance, and a concert film of the same name. Sakamoto, who died on 28 March 2023 after a battle with colon cancer, left a legacy that spans pop, film scoring, and experimental music.
In Berlin, the National Gallery of Contemporary Art (Hamburger Bahnhof) will host an exhibition titled "seeing sound, hearing time" from 11 September 2026 to 23 May 2027. The show features seven works across five large‑scale installations, offering visitors a visual and sonic exploration of Sakamoto’s creative output. The exhibition is part of the museum’s broader program of contemporary art and is scheduled to run for nearly a year.
Sakamoto’s influence on electronic music is well documented. He co‑founded the synth‑pop group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) in 1978, and the band’s early releases helped shape the development of synthpop, J‑pop, and techno. In addition to his work with YMO, Sakamoto earned an Academy Award for the score of "The Last Emperor" (1987) and composed music for films such as "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" (1983) and "The Revenant" (2015). Earlier this year, his collaborative LP with percussionist Toshi Tsuchitori, "Disappointment–Hateruma", was reissued.
The legacy of Sakamoto’s music continues to inspire contemporary artists. In 2024, the German band Kraftwerk performed a tribute to Sakamoto at London’s Royal Albert Hall, covering his track "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence." The performance was part of a broader series of events celebrating Sakamoto’s contributions to music and film.
The combination of a new memoir, a major exhibition, and post‑humous releases keeps Sakamoto’s work in public view. Fans and scholars can access his life story through the memoir, experience his visual and sonic art in Berlin, and revisit his final performance through "Opus". These events underscore the enduring impact of Sakamoto’s career across multiple media and generations.
Pre‑orders opened on 26 June and are available through HarperVia’s online store. The release follows the 2024 post‑humous launch of "Opus", a recording of Sakamoto’s final performance, and a concert film of the same name. Sakamoto, who died on 28 March 2023 after a battle with colon cancer, left a legacy that spans pop, film scoring, and experimental music.
In Berlin, the National Gallery of Contemporary Art (Hamburger Bahnhof) will host an exhibition titled "seeing sound, hearing time" from 11 September 2026 to 23 May 2027. The show features seven works across five large‑scale installations, offering visitors a visual and sonic exploration of Sakamoto’s creative output. The exhibition is part of the museum’s broader program of contemporary art and is scheduled to run for nearly a year.
Sakamoto’s influence on electronic music is well documented. He co‑founded the synth‑pop group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) in 1978, and the band’s early releases helped shape the development of synthpop, J‑pop, and techno. In addition to his work with YMO, Sakamoto earned an Academy Award for the score of "The Last Emperor" (1987) and composed music for films such as "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" (1983) and "The Revenant" (2015). Earlier this year, his collaborative LP with percussionist Toshi Tsuchitori, "Disappointment–Hateruma", was reissued.
The legacy of Sakamoto’s music continues to inspire contemporary artists. In 2024, the German band Kraftwerk performed a tribute to Sakamoto at London’s Royal Albert Hall, covering his track "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence." The performance was part of a broader series of events celebrating Sakamoto’s contributions to music and film.
The combination of a new memoir, a major exhibition, and post‑humous releases keeps Sakamoto’s work in public view. Fans and scholars can access his life story through the memoir, experience his visual and sonic art in Berlin, and revisit his final performance through "Opus". These events underscore the enduring impact of Sakamoto’s career across multiple media and generations.
