Teiji Ito

Teiji Ito (伊藤貞司, Itō Teiji, January 22, 1935 – August 16, 1982) was a Japanese composer and performer. He is best known for his scores for the avant-garde films by Maya Deren.

Teiji Ito
伊藤貞司
Born(1935-01-22)January 22, 1935
Tokyo, Japan
DiedAugust 16, 1982(1982-08-16) (aged 47)
Haiti
NationalityJapanese
OccupationComposer
Years active1952-1982
Known forFilm scores for avant-garde artist Maya Deren
Spouse(s)Maya Deren (1960-1961)[1]
Gail Ryan
Ilene Itō
Cherel Winett
ChildrenTavia Itō[2]
Parent(s)Teiko Ono
Yuji Itō
RelativesGenji Itō (brother)
Teimoc Johnston-Ono (brother)

Early life

Ito was born in Tokyo, Japan to a theatrical family.[1] His mother, Teiki Ono, was a dancer and his father, Yuji Ito, was a designer and composer.[3] His family moved to the United States when he was six. Ito accompanied his mother's dance performance at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City; he performed for both Japanese and Korean dance. At 15, he ran away from home.[4] He began to compose at age 17. He met Maya Deren during this time and in 1955, traveled with her to Haiti. There, Ito studied under a master drummer. Ito would also compose the score for Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon at Deren's request.[1] Ito married Deren in 1960 and remained married to her until her death in 1961.[1]

The Japanese American actor Jerry Ito (1927–2007) was Teiji Ito's first cousin.

Career

Ito won an Obie Award for his scores during the 1960-1961 off-Broadway season; the productions included Brecht's In the Jungle of Cities, King Ubu, and Three Modern Japanese Plays. In 1963, he composed the score for the Broadway production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Ito wrote Watermill which was performed by the New York City Ballet in 1971.[2] Ito also performed and composed for Jean Erdman's Theater of the Open Eye.[2]

Ito and his fourth wife, Cherel, edited Deren's 1947-1951 footage she shot while in Haiti; this would result in the documentary Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti.[5][6]

Death

While in Haiti, Ito died of a heart attack in 1982.[2]

Discography
  • Meshes: Music For Films and Theater (O.O. Discs)
  • Music For Maya: Early Film Music Of Teiji Ito (Tzadik Records, 2-CD set)
  • King Ubu (Tzadik)
  • The Shamanic Principles (Tzadik)
  • Tenno (Tzadik)
  • Watermill (Tzadik)

References
  1. Robertson, Robert (2015). Cinema and the audiovisual imagination : music, image, sound. London ; New York: I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd. pp. 76–77. ISBN 9781780767178. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  2. "Teiji Ito, 47, Composer For Theater and Dance". New York Times. August 21, 1982. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  3. Anderson, Jack (April 27, 2001). "Genji Ito, 54, Theater Composer Known for Stylistic Diversity". New York Times. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  4. Layne, Joslyn. "About Teiji Ito". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  5. Rich, B Ruby (1998). Chick Flicks: Theories and Memories of the Feminist Film Movement. Durham: Duke University Press. p. 52. ISBN 9780822321064. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  6. "Paid Notice: Deaths ITO, CHEREL WINETT". New York Times. January 17, 1999. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
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