Ikuko Kawai
Encyclopedia
, born January 19, 1968 in Takamatsu
, is a classically trained Japan
ese violinist and composer
.
She has performed internationally, including invitational appearances with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
and renowned conductor Chung Myung-Whun. Kawai Ikuko performed in New York at her first Carnegie Hall
concert at Zankel Hall on October 4, 2008.
Kawai has recorded numerous CDs and performance videos which have been released both in Japan and internationally. In addition to her work as a classical artist, she has worked in popular music with American artists of different genres, including Sheila E.
and the Gypsy Kings. She has also appeared as an actress in a Japanese television series.
Kawai Ikuko currently holds a professorship at the Osaka University of Fine Arts and Music. In honor of her artistry, Kuwai has been loaned the use of the University's 1715 Stradivarius violin. (The 1715 Stradivarius is known as one of the greatest works of Antonio Stradivari
's "golden period".) She has also played a Francesco Ruggieri violin which was also loaned by Osaka University. Formerly, she played the Guarneri
del Gesu (Muntz), loaned in grandis agnitio from the Nippon Foundation
.
Takamatsu, Kagawa
is a city located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the seat of the prefectural government. It is designated a core city by the Japanese Government. It is a port city located on the Seto Inland Sea, and is the closest port to Honshu from Shikoku island...
, is a classically trained Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese violinist and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
She has performed internationally, including invitational appearances with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
The Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra , one of Poland's premier musical institutions, was established in 1901 on the initiative of an assembly of Polish aristocrats and financiers, as well as musicians...
and renowned conductor Chung Myung-Whun. Kawai Ikuko performed in New York at her first Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
concert at Zankel Hall on October 4, 2008.
Kawai has recorded numerous CDs and performance videos which have been released both in Japan and internationally. In addition to her work as a classical artist, she has worked in popular music with American artists of different genres, including Sheila E.
Sheila E.
Sheila Escovedo , known by her stage name Sheila E., is an American drummer and percussionist, perhaps best known for her work with Prince, George Duke and Ringo Starr.-Early life and Prince period:...
and the Gypsy Kings. She has also appeared as an actress in a Japanese television series.
Kawai Ikuko currently holds a professorship at the Osaka University of Fine Arts and Music. In honor of her artistry, Kuwai has been loaned the use of the University's 1715 Stradivarius violin. (The 1715 Stradivarius is known as one of the greatest works of Antonio Stradivari
Antonio Stradivari
Antonio Stradivari was an Italian luthier and a crafter of string instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars, violas, and harps. Stradivari is generally considered the most significant artisan in this field. The Latinized form of his surname, Stradivarius, as well as the colloquial, "Strad", is...
's "golden period".) She has also played a Francesco Ruggieri violin which was also loaned by Osaka University. Formerly, she played the Guarneri
Guarneri
The Guarneri is the family name of a group of distinguished luthiers from Cremona in Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries, whose standing is considered comparable to those of the Amati and Stradivari families...
del Gesu (Muntz), loaned in grandis agnitio from the Nippon Foundation
Nippon Foundation
is a private, non-profit grant-making organization. It was established in 1962 by Ryoichi Sasakawa, the late statesman and businessman who, following World War II, was accused, albeit not convicted, of class A war crimes...
.
Music albums
| Album | Release date |
|---|---|
| Red Violin | 2000-05-24 |
| Violin Muse | 2001-02-21 |
| Instinct | 2002-06-21 |
| Aurora | 2004-02-21 |
| Arashigaoka/Wuthering Heights | 2005-12-07 |
| La Japonaese | 2006-09-27 |
| Violin Muse | 2007-03-21 |
| The New World | 2008-07-23 |
| Ikuko Kawai at Carnegie Hall 2008 - The New World | 2009-01-21 |
| Nature | 2009-09-02 |
| Appassionato | 2009-09-02 |
| Reborn | 2010-11-03 |