Cultural Exchange:

Harmony of Cultural Sounds
in collaboration with musicians and composers from Japan and the UK

 

 

Harmony of Cultural Sounds Project was founded in 2012, with a series of events taking place in UK and Japan.

 

The project consists of concerts and workshops involving musicians, composers and audience from both countries, to explore the diverse repertoire of chamber music written by British and Japanese composers. By looking at different ways to communicate through music, the project aims to build a cultural bridge between UK and Japan, and foster deeper understanding of music through practical activities.

 

A particular focus is cast upon the development of exchanges between musicians, composers and audiences. This triangular connection is vital in nurturing musical works that are written today, as well as reviving the neglected, yet significant works from the past.

 

In 2012, the project started off with concert tours in UK and Japan with the Toki Quartet. 

An ensemble consisting of two Japanese and two UK artists, the Quartet gave series of concerts and workshops, exploring Quartets by British and Japanese composers. Working with composers Nicola LeFanu and Yuka Takechi, the workshops were hosted at the Royal Academy of Music, and at Tokyo University of Arts, involving the university students. 

 

The project has been generously supported by the Musicians Benevolent Fund, the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, Holst Foundation and the Britten-Pears Foundation.

                                                                                             

2014 Midori Komachi

Toki Quartet with Tokyo University of Arts String Orchestra, rehearsing Elgar Introduction & Allegro
Toki Quartet with Tokyo University of Arts String Orchestra, rehearsing Elgar Introduction & Allegro

Events in 2012:

UK



25th June:

Workshop with Nicola LeFanu at Royal Academy of Music

Evening concert at Burgh House, Hampstead

Programme: LeFanu: String Quartet No.3

                   

Takemitsu: A Way A Lone

Britten: String Quartet No.2


27th July:

Concert for “Music in Quiet Places” at St Mary’s & St Peter’s, Harlaxton

Takemitsu: A Way A Lone

Elgar: String Quartet in E minor


Tour to Japan, 25th October – 7th November
30th October:

Elgar: Introduction & Allegro

with Tokyo University of Arts String Orchestra, directed by Professor Kazuki Sawa


1st November:

Workshop at Tokyo University of Arts with Professor Yuka Takechi

Britten: String Quartet No.2

Takemitsu: A Way A Lone


2nd November:

Concert at England House Yokohama

Bridge: 3 Idylls

LeFanu: String Quartet No.3

Elgar: String Quartet in E minor


5th November:

Concert at Lutheran Ichigaya

Takemitsu: A Way A Lone

Britten: String Quartet in E minor

Elgar: String Quartet in E minor

Concert at Lutheran Ichigaya, Tokyo
Concert at Lutheran Ichigaya, Tokyo
Midori Komachi and Aki Sawa, playing with the students of the String Orchestra.
Midori Komachi and Aki Sawa, playing with the students of the String Orchestra.
Toki Quartet with composer Yuka Takechi, at Tokyo University of Arts
Toki Quartet with composer Yuka Takechi, at Tokyo University of Arts