To mark the 30th anniversary of 1996 in 2026, the trio “2016” proposes a studio recording of the performance “Sakamoto – 1996”.
Contextualization
The concert “Sakamoto – 1996” is a tribute to the Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. The project premiered in its current format in October 2024 at the Teatro Municipal da Covilhã and with two dates at the Centro Cultural de Belém. The first season of 11 concerts sold out almost all venues, and the second season began in October 2025 with an eight-concert tour in China. It will continue into 2026, passing through Brazil and several renowned venues in Portugal, such as the Aula Magna (Lisbon), the Convento São Francisco (Coimbra), the Sala Suggia at Casa da Música (Porto), and other theaters in the interior of the country.
Record Edition
At a particularly symbolic moment, as the year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the album "1996", we propose the recording of "Sakamoto - 1996", produced to the highest technical and artistic standards at TELDEX studios in Berlin, where leading labels such as Deutsche Grammophon, Sony Classics, and ECM have recorded many of their albums.
Like Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven, we believe that Sakamoto deserves a prominent place in the history of contemporary music. We believe that our recording will contribute to the enduring nature of his work and the enrichment of his legacy.
Public Collaboration
We opted for a model of direct public funding, supplemented in a later phase by patronage and public funding. We intend to operate with artistic independence – without editorial or commercial commitments – and with a financial margin that allows the recording to be done under the best conditions and with the most qualified technicians.
Since the premiere of “Sakamoto – 1996”, the strong reception from the public has been one of the most significant cornerstones of this project. This crowdfunding campaign makes it possible for as many as wish to participate to be an active part of the project and inscribe their name in a collective work of memory and transmission that will be part of Ryuichi Sakamoto's legacy.
All funds raised will be fully applied to the recording, editing, production, promotion, and distribution of this work.
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About the author
John Vasco
A piano professor at the National Conservatory of Music, he divides his time between performing, composing, teaching, photography, and video. He has performed as a solo pianist or in chamber ensembles in 32 countries across 4 continents. Since 2016, João Vasco has complemented his performance with musical composition, premiering his work "2016" at the end of 2019, which has been presented in Portugal, France, Cape Verde, Brazil, and China. Since then, he has composed orchestral works, a ballet, symphonic overtures, works for solo instruments, and chamber music, premiered and/or recorded by performers such as the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, António Rosado, Bruno Belthoise, Mário Laginha, and Pedro Burmester, among others.
As a photographer and videographer, he regularly collaborates with Portuguese cultural institutions and musicians. In 2014 he directed the short film "A Carruagem" (The Carriage), in 2017 the short documentary "O Entalhador ou A Oficina Mais Bela do Mundo" (The Carver or The Most Beautiful Workshop in the World), and in 2019 the feature-length documentary "111 671 – Balada para um piano" (111 671 – Ballad for a Piano). These films have been selected and awarded at national and international film and video festivals and competitions: Grand Prix Festival Cinerail, Impact Docs Awards, Cannes Film Festival (Short Film Corner), New York Portuguese Short Film Festival, Lucania Film Festival, Kinoduel Film Festival, Docs without Borders Film Festival, Cinalfama International Film Awards, and Music and Stars Awards.
In 2022, with the support of DGartes, he published his first photography book, “Overbooking,” a selection of travel photos taken between 2014 and 2019. In the musical projects he has conceived over the last decade, he progressively brings together all his artistic talents, establishing himself as a creator of “Music and Image.”
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Budget and due dates
Recording: 17,160€
3 days of recording at TELDEX studios, technical equipment, Yamaha CFX piano (the same one Sakamoto used in the film OPUS), sound engineers from Decurio Berlin, recording, mixing, editing and mastering.
Travel and accommodation: €2,300
for 3 musicians
Promotion and dissemination: €9,300
Creation of an institutional website - €2000
Graphic design - €2000
Photographic and videographic recording in studio - €2000
Promotional graphic material - €500
promotional videographic material - €1200
Production, promotion, distribution - €1500
Reproduction: €2000
Mechanical reproduction on CD, 500 units - €1200
Mechanical reproduction on vinyl, 100 units - €800
Total: €30,760
Through this crowdfunding campaign, we aim to raise approximately half of the funds needed for the recording.
The schedule is dependent on the funding we manage to secure throughout 2026, and our goal is to launch this edition this year.
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