Musical Time in Tōru Takemitsu’s November Steps

This article offers a formal analysis of Tōru Takemitsu’s composition November Steps and discusses the composer’s statements that piece has eleven variations (that he calls “Steps”) is an equivalent Western Theme Variations form as well Japanese traditional called danmono. There discrepancy between these music’s temporal organization. Not too much been written about Steps, musicologists have done it avoided “perplexing task” double checking what true them not. Therefore, this article’s goal to unveil mysteries Steps’ form, which thoroughly considered here musical time. The work displays unique conception temporality, identified circular, at one level, cyclic, another. explains notion circularity applied time, also relationship specific concepts time are reflected in music.