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Ensemble
Tozai
Ensemble
Tozai comprises four Japanese musicians specialising
in both traditional Japanese and Western classical
music. Tozai means ‘East-West’;
with a combination of violin, piano, shakuhachi
(bamboo flute) and taiko percussion, the incredible
sounds that emanate from this collective of
outstanding performers, all soloists in their
own right, can only be described as universal.
Brought
together for a hugely successful ‘Japan
2001’ UK tour, the music Ensemble Tozai
performs is written for especially for them
or adapted by members of the group. Their repertoire
extends from traditional Japanese music and
existing 20th century works to newly commissioned
and collaborative works with contemporary composers.
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Masayuki
Kino
Violin
After
studying at Tokyo Gakuen, Masayuki Kino
entered the Guildhall School of Music
in London where he received instruction
from the renowned violinist Yfrah Neaman.
After graduation he continued his studies
with master teachers Nathan Milstein,
Ruggiero Ricci and Ivry Gitlis.
In
1984 he took the top prize at the Carl
Flesch International Violin Competition
in London, and in 1985 a special prize
for salon music at the Menuhin International
Violin Competition in Paris.
Now
basing his concert activities in London,
he has performed with the Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra, Berliner Sinfonieorchester,
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra,
Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra, and
numerous other world-class orchestras.
His wide-ranging international activities
also comprise participation in many
music festivals including the San Remo
and Aldeburgh Festivals, and radio and
TV performances.
In
1993 he became Concertmaster of the
Japan Philharmonic, an appointment he
continues to hold today. He has released
many CDs, all of which have received
favourable reviews. Since 1997 he has
been giving masterclasses for young
musicians. His technically demanding
programmes and open seminars are highly
popular.
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Hidekazu
Kato
Shakuhachi
Hidekazu
Kato joined the group Chiku Tokai
in 1980 while studying at Tokyo’s
Chuo University, and was admitted to
the prestigious Tokyo Geidai Music University
in 1984. Throughout this period he studied
under the great shakuhachi master Katsuya
Yokoyama.
On completing his post-graduate studies
in 1992, Kato joined the exclusive ensemble
Nihon Ongaku Shodan, Japan’s
premier traditional instrument group,
which performs all over the world. Their
1999 American tour with British percussionist
Evelyn Glennie, featuring works by contemporary
Japanese composers and traditional Japanese
music, was a critical and popular success.
Since
1998 Hidekazu Kato has been a key member
of Bamboo Orchestra, a unique
ensemble of 13 traditional instruments
founded by Yabuki Makoto. Following
CD recordings and numerous TV, radio,
theatre and concert hall appearances,
they are undertaking a month-long tour
of the USA in 2006.
Kato’s
numerous other performing commitments
include concerts with the Kanagawa Philharmonic
and Tokyo Symphony Orchestras. He also
works closely with the popular Japanese
Enka singer Ayako Fuji.
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Joji
Hirota
Percussion
Joji
Hirota was born in Northern Japan. At
the age of eleven, he began a lifelong
study of percussion and has been composing
from the age of thirteen. Joji started
to play the Japanese drums in his early
20's, having encountered the impressive
Hokkai Daiko in Hokkaido. He was trained
by Itto Ohba - great master of Japanese
Taiko Drumming - and his son Kazuoki.
Their style is the most important influence
on Hirota's drumming music.
In
February 2004, Joji Hirota received
a commendation from Ambassador Orita
for his contribution to the introduction
of Japanese culture in UK through the
medium of Taiko drumming and other musical
activities.
He
has released four solo albums, "Sahasuhara",
"Wheel of Fortune" "Rain
Forest Dream" and "The Gate".
Joji
has been musical director of the Red
Buddha Theatre and the Lindsay Kemp
Dance Company, touring extensively throughout
Europe, Mexico, Canada, USA, South America
and Japan. In 1991 they won the Time
Out Award for best dance company for
their production of "Onnagata.”
‘Trisan’
was formed by Joji Hirota, Guo Yue and
Pol Brennan. They toured Europe, Canada,
USA and Japan. Their album was nominated
best contemporary instrumental music
by Tower Records New York.
Hirota
has been a regular performer at Womad
since 1986. He also worked with Jah
Wobble and Bill Evans' Band. He has
performed extensively and recorded two
albums in partnership with Pete Lockett
as "Taiko to Tabla". As part
of ‘Japan 2001’, Joji performed
numerous concerts all over the UK with
a new Group "Ensemble Tozai"
and also with his Taiko Group.
He
has worked with the Royal Shakespeare
Company as a solo percussionist and
as a co-composer for its production
of "Macbeth" eventually performing
in various places in the UK, Japan,
and the USA as well as recording for
the film version broadcast on Channel
4. In 2003, he composed the music "The
Waterfall of Time Suites" for a
project with artist Elizabeth Ogilvie
and the Scottish Flute Trio. Joji has
also composed and recorded for Anglia
TV Channel 5 TV, and was asked to compose
music for an animation film based on
a story 'Crossing the snow' written
by Kenji Miyazawa that was showcased
at the World Summit of Television for
Children in Rio de Janeiro, April 2004.
Amongst
this great variety of musical activities
and influences, Joji has maintained
the spiritual centre of his music by
establishing taiko drumming groups in
the UK. Concert programmes also include
Joji's performances of shakuhachi flute
and vocals of Japanese folk songs arranged
by him.
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