Group Ongaku (1960s collective)

Group Ongaku was a Japanese collective formed in the 1960s by experimental musicians including La Monte Young, Toshi Ichiyanagi, and others. They sought to explore new soundscapes beyond traditional music, focusing on minimalism, ambient sound, and the use of unconventional techniques. Their work emphasized sustained tones, subtle shifts, and the acoustic environment, laying foundational ideas for minimalism and experimental music. Group Ongaku played a crucial role in introducing avant-garde ideas to Japan and influenced future generations of experimental composers and performers.