Released in the mid-2000s (precise date elusive, adding to its mystique), Volume V breaks the mold. Instead of familiar melodies, Takeuchi presents five original compositions. And three of them—Atomix, Scarie, and Mamado—are unlike anything else in his catalogue.
These titles do not translate neatly. They are neologisms, sound-pictures, or perhaps inside jokes. Let’s dissect each.
For the devoted classical and fingerstyle guitarist, the name Noriyasu Takeuchi resonates with a unique blend of technical rigor and whimsical eclecticism. While many know him for his masterful transcriptions of Japanese anime music (Joe Hisaishi’s Spirited Away) or his rigorous editions of Baroque masters, a deeper cut in his discography has recently sparked a cult following: “Popular Pieces for Guitar Solo Vol. V” – specifically, the cryptic triptych of tracks titled Atomix, Scarie, and Mamado.
If you have typed the search string “noriyasu+takeuchi+popular+pieces+for+guitar+solo+v+atomix+scarie+mamado” into a search engine, you are likely not a casual listener. You are a performer hunting for sheet music, a student puzzled by a teacher’s assignment, or a collector trying to decipher Takeuchi’s most experimental output. This article is your definitive guide.
Before diving into the peculiarities of Volume V, let’s establish the man behind the music. Noriyasu Takeuchi (born 1963) is a Tokyo-born guitarist and composer who straddles the line between classical purism and pop sensibility. Educated at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, he won top prizes at the Tokyo International Guitar Competition. However, unlike his contemporaries who retreated into conservatory bubbles, Takeuchi became a bridge between worlds.
His signature lies in the “Popular Pieces for Guitar Solo” series. Each volume is a snapshot of global pop culture refracted through the lens of a nylon-string guitar. Volumes I–IV feature accessible arrangements of Beatles tunes, French chansons, and American standards. But Volume V… Volume V is where things get strange.
Musical Character: Aggressive, percussive, microtonal. Released in the mid-2000s (precise date elusive, adding
“Atomix” (note the ‘x’ suggesting a fusion of “atomic” and “mix”) opens Volume V with a shock. Gone is the polite, rolled-chord phrasing of Takeuchi’s Hisaishi arrangements. In its place: a barrage of tambora (hitting the strings with the thumb nail), left-hand hammer-ons from nowhere, and sudden silences.
Why it’s popular among soloists:
Performance challenge: The middle section features a glissando across unnatural harmonics, creating a “theremin-like” wail. Classical guitarists who master “Atomix” often use it as a recital opener to prove their modernist credentials.
Noriyasu Takeuchi is a renowned Japanese guitarist and arranger celebrated for his extensive collection of "Popular Pieces for Guitar Solo". His arrangements are highly regarded in the classical and solo guitar communities for their ability to translate complex jazz, pop, and classical themes into accessible yet sophisticated solo guitar scores. The "Popular Pieces for Guitar Solo" Series
Takeuchi’s work is primarily cataloged in a multi-volume series, often published through Gendai Guitar. These volumes span a wide range of musical genres, including:
Standard Jazz & Pop: Including arrangements of "Fly Me to the Moon," "All You Need Is Love," and "Yesterday". " "All You Need Is Love
Film & Screen Music: Featuring themes from Mission: Impossible, The Third Man, and Cinema Paradiso.
Classical Transcriptions: Guitar adaptations of works by Mendelssohn, Dvořák, and Piazzolla. Notable Arranging Style
Takeuchi is known for a "simple yet respectful" arranging style. His scores often cater to intermediate and advanced players, maintaining the melodic integrity of the original piece while utilizing the guitar's unique voicing capabilities. Context for Specific Terms
While the terms "Atomix," "Scarie," and "Mamado" are not listed in major Western catalogs as standard titles in the Popular Pieces series, they may refer to:
Transliterated Titles: Potential phonetic translations or specific Japanese pop/anime tracks included in later or specialized volumes (e.g., Screen Music or Solo Guitar Pieces Selected).
Associated Artists: "Atomix" is sometimes associated with specific digital art or niche media circles, which could indicate a crossover in fan-curated collections or specific themed sheet music books. The Third Man
For those looking to explore these scores, many are available through specialized retailers like the Los Angeles Classical Guitars (LACG) or digital repositories such as Scribd.
Noriyasu Takeuchi-Popular Pieces For Guitar-Solo-Vol.3 | PDF
Popular Pieces for Guitar Solo Vol. 5 " arranged by Noriyasu Takeuchi
is a 46-page collection of popular songs arranged for classical guitar, often published as standard notation, with some editions originally listed as GG153.
Contents of Volume 5 (Arranged by Takeuchi):This collection features diverse arrangements, including popular hits like "To Love You More," "Every Breath You Take," "Georgia on My Mind," "Time After Time," "Alfie," "The Last Waltz," and "When the Saints Go Marching In". Other pieces include "HERO," "I Won't Last a Day Without You," "I Need to Be in Love," "El Manisero," "Your Song," "First of May," "How Deep Is Your Love," "Strangers in the Night," "All of Me," "Lullaby of Birdland," "Last Christmas," and "A Hazy Shade of Winter".
Note: The results indicate this is a specific, revised volume focusing on popular hits, rather than screen music (Vol 2/4) or standard classical repertoire. Popular Pieces for guitar solo Vol.5. Arranged by Takeuchi
If you are looking to play these, here is what makes Takeuchi's arrangements stand out: