Pioneering Japanese composer and music producer Ryuichi Sakamoto died on March 28, aged 71 – three months after his last concert and two months after the release of his last album.

His life was synonymous with music and with music he wanted to make his last journey towards eternity.

Sakamoto was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in 2014 and colon cancer in 2021.

He knew the end was near and, before he died, he created a playlist – he called it Funeral – of 33 classics – known and unknown – that he wanted to be played at his funeral.

The playlist features some of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s favorite music, including works by Bach, Debussy and Ravel.

The two-and-a-half-hour playlist also includes compositions by others with whom Sakamoto worked during his lifetime, such as David Sylvian and other composers from various musical genres (Ennio Morricone, Bill Evans, Nino Rota and Eric Satti).

The entire ‘Funeral’ playlist is available on Spotify.