• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Tickets

Avex announces Dai Fujikura Portrait concert at Wigmore Hall

December 20, 2017 by Tom Bailey Leave a Comment

Following the successes of previous years’ ‘Avex Recital Series’, Avex now launch their 2018 programme with a special Dai Fujikura Portrait concert on the 17th of February featuring musicians from around the world, performing works for shamisen (a traditional Japanese instrument), toy piano, violin, saxophone, and a quintet comprising oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon and piano. This evening of beautiful sound colours and contrasting sonority will also mark several UK premières as well as a world premiere of a piece for solo piano.

The incredible artists who will be performing at Wigmore are Mei Yi Foo (piano and toy piano), HONJOH Hidejiro (shamisen), Yu Kosuge (piano), Rie Koyama (bassoon), Masanori Oishi (saxophone), Enno Senft (double bass), Philippe Tondre (oboe), Bartosz Woroch (violin), Makoto Yoshida (clarinet) and Teunis van der Zwart (horn).

Dai Fujikura is acclaimed worldwide and has been awarded many important prizes throughout his career including the Royal Philharmonic Society Award, Otaka Prize, Akutagawa Composition Award, WIRED Audi Innovation Award, the Paul Hindemith Prize, and The Silver Lion Award from Venice Biennale 2017. His works include operas, orchestral pieces, ensemble works, chamber music, and film scores that cross over into the contemporary world with strong connections to experimental, pop, jazz and improvisation. Having received numerous international co-commissions, Dai Fujikura’s music has been performed in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He recently held the composer-in-residence position at Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra. In the UK, he has received two BBC Proms commissions, his Double Bass Concerto was premiered by the London Sinfonietta, and in 2013 the BBC Symphony Orchestra gave the UK premiere of his Atom. Recently, Dai has been named the artistic director of the Born
Creative Festival in Tokyo Metropolitan Theater for 2017.

Hiroyuki Nakashima, President at Avex Classics International, comments, Avex Classics International is committed to nurturing the best young musical talent and giving them an international platform. From intimate recitals to huge multimedia presentations, we engage audiences of all ages and nationalities in the unique power that defines the best musical performances and artists. Our return to Wigmore Hall demonstrates the best of Japanese talent and we are delighted to be back at this renowned hall.

Dai Fujikura Portrait looks back across Fujikura’s whole career as far as some works from his time at college. He describes Frozen Heat for Solo Piano (1998) like meeting an old friend. Neo for Solo Shamisen (2014) was Fujikura’s first composition for the shamisen. Until this point he had always associated Japanese instruments as the clichéd music heard in Japanese restaurants outside of Japan. When this work was commissioned he cast aside these preconceptions and carried out extensive research into the history of the instrument. His attraction to the shamisen
was the concept of adding ‘noise’ to the sound, something unthinkable in western classical music; he treated this piece like a guitar solo in a rock concert.

Dai Fujikura comments, I am delighted to have a portrait concert at the renowned Wigmore Hall with all-star musicians from all over the world. Many of the works have been specially written for these musicians, for both traditional Japanese and western instruments. I am curious to hear 20 years of my music played together at this concert which includes compositions dating back to 1998 as well as a world premiere. What a way to celebrate my 40th!

Author: Tom BaileyTom is a theatre maker and writer based in London, England. He covers news and interviews for Theatre Bubble.
T: Twitter F: Facebook

Filed Under: News Tagged With: concert, Dai Fujikura, Japan, Wigmore Hall

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Silent Faces on Godot is a Woman’s first UK Tour

Silent Faces return to the stage with their signature style of playful and political physical theatre, interrogating permission, patriarchy, and [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Max Rinehart on The Retreat

We spoke to actor Max Rinehart about his experience working on the European premiere of Jason Sherman’s The Retreat at [Read More]

NEWS / Frozen Light celebrate 10 years with Sensory Symposium

The UK’s premiere company for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities invites industry professionals of all genres and sensory [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Jenny Foulds on Life Learnings of a Nonsensical Human

Performer Jenny Foulds tells us about her forthcoming one woman show Life Learnings of a Nonsensical Human, coming to the [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Monique Touko on We Need New Names

We Need New Names is a defiant and exuberant coming-of-age story follows a young girl from the playgrounds of Zimbabwe [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Max Rinehart on The Retreat
  • The Cherry Orchard- a translation for modern times and a modern audience? The Young Vic
  • Does Small to Mid Scale Theatre Touring Actually Work?
  • The Adrian Pagan Award is Back - Could You Win It?
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Monique Touko on We Need New Names
  • Gavin Maxwell and William Townsend talk Anthropocene
  • Unleash The Llama talks Five Years With The White Man
  • Tim Edge talks Under the Black Rock
  • Crowdfunding In Theatre - An Overview
  • Tom Bailey
    Editor

  • December 20th, 2017
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook126TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!