TOKYO // A composer known as the “Beethoven of Japan” said on Wednesday he had regained some of his hearing ability, a week after setting off a furore by admitting he had used a ghost writer for his popular symphonies and other music.
Mamoru Samuragochi, a classical musician, became known as an inspirational genius for composing despite losing his hearing.
Mr Samuragochi said on Wednesday that he had suffered hearing loss and was not able to hear when he began paying a part-time university professor to write music under his name, a collaboration that went on for 18 years.
But the situation had improved.
“The truth is that recently I have begun to hear a little again,” he said in a statement reported by Japanese media, adding that for the last three years he has been able to follow conversations under certain conditions.
Mr Samuragochi, 50, apologised to fans last week for paying Takashi Niigaki to write compositions under his name.
Mr Niigaki told reporters that he had also wondered about the extent of the composer’s hearing loss.
On Wednesday, Mr Samuragochi acknowledged he had not been truthful about his hearing when the scandal emerged.
“I was thinking only of what would happen after news broke about Mr Niigaki writing my music, and was unable to tell the truth due to fear,” he said.
He said he would appear in public soon to apologise and offered to have his hearing tested by experts.
German composer Ludwig van Beethoven began suffering hearing loss from about age 30 and withdrew from public performances while continuing to write music. He was almost totally deaf for the last decade of his life.
Mr Samuragochi gained international fame for his “Hiroshima Symphony”, a tribute to the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing of the Japanese city.
Mr Niigaki said last week that he received more than 7 million yen ($68,000) for over 20 songs he wrote for Samuragochi.
That includes music being used by Japanese figure skater Daisuke Takahashi for his short programme at the Sochi Olympics. Mr Takahashi has said he was “surprised” to hear the news, but had no intention of changing his music.
Observers say that part of SMr amuragochi’s popularity was due to promotion by an industry eager to put a human face to classical music and hang on to a shrinking market share as Japanese society rapidly ages.
* Reuters
TWISTERS
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What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
The biog
Age: 30
Position: Senior lab superintendent at Emirates Global Aluminium
Education: Bachelor of science in chemical engineering, post graduate degree in light metal reduction technology
Favourite part of job: The challenge, because it is challenging
Favourite quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” Gandi
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Most polluted cities in the Middle East
1. Baghdad, Iraq
2. Manama, Bahrain
3. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
4. Kuwait City, Kuwait
5. Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
6. Ash Shihaniyah, Qatar
7. Abu Dhabi, UAE
8. Cairo, Egypt
9. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
10. Dubai, UAE
Source: 2022 World Air Quality Report
MOST POLLUTED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
1. Chad
2. Iraq
3. Pakistan
4. Bahrain
5. Bangladesh
6. Burkina Faso
7. Kuwait
8. India
9. Egypt
10. Tajikistan
Source: 2022 World Air Quality Report
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