Ikuko Kawai Explained

Ikuko Kawai
Native Name:川井郁子
Birth Date:19 January 1968
Birth Place:Takamatsu, Japan
Instrument:Violin
Genre:Classical music, electronic, instrumental
Occupation:Composer, violinist
Years Active:2000–present

is a classically trained Japanese violinist and composer.[1]

Early life and education

Among Kawai's favorite childhood memories are going to the cinema with her father Kiyoshi; she was captivated by film's soundtracks. She took music lessons in Marugame City and later attended Tokyo University of the Arts for her Bachelor's and graduate degrees.[2] She also attended the Vienna Conservatory of Music.[3]

Career

Kawai has performed both in Japan and internationally, including with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.[3] She performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2008[4] and at the Paris Opera House in 2015.[5] [4] In March 2019, she performed The Tale of Genji to open the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.[5] Kawai has appeared alongside and collaborated with musicians and artists such as Tsutomu Sekine,[6] Manami Konishi, Miyu Sakihi, Jun Shibuki, Akinori Nakagawa, Masafumi Akikawa,[7] Myung-whun Chung, José Carreras,[8] and Gipsy Kings.

Kawai incorporates Japanese instruments, including the shakuhachi, biwa, shō, taiko drums, hichiriki, and koto, into her music.[9] [10] She has performed on a number of unique and rare instruments, including on the world's first glass violin (2008),[11] on a 1715 Stradivarius owned by the University of Osaka (2021),[12] [13] and on a violin crafted by Francesco Rugeri.[14] In addition to performing, she teaches at Osaka University.[15] [16]

Kawai composed for the films Torokko (2009), Trolley (2010), A Chorus of Angels (2016), and Midnight Bus (2017);[17] her music is also used as the theme song for Awaiting Kirin.[18] In 2016, she won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Music for Junji Sakamoto's film A Chorus of Angels.[19] [20] In 2022, she provided music for the drama Yakumo Tachi at the Izutsu Costume Series along with Seigo Yoshii.[21]

She appeared on TV Tokyo's miniseries 100 Years of Music and in 2016 in the documentary Kanojo no Debut 15th Anniversary Commemoration, Japanese Violin Music Journey Beginning in Paris on Nippon BS Broadcasting. In December 2021, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Red Violin, her first release, Kawai wrote, directed, produced, and composed the musical The Day Embraced by the Moon / Prologue which brings together Marie Antoinette and Gracia Hosokawa. It was performed at the Umeda Arts Theater in Tokyo.[22] [23] In 2022, she formed the Japanese-Western mixed orchestra Hibiki.[15] Additionally, she hosts the Tokyo FM radio show Ikuko Kawai Unframed.[24]

Kawai's songs are popular performance music among professional ice skaters: Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov performed to "Violin Muse" at the 2013 European Figure Skating Championships;[25] Yuzuru Hanyu skated to her song "White Legend" at the 2014 Sochi Olympics;[26] Nam Nguyen performed to "White Legend" at 2021 Skate America;[27] Naoki Rossi skated to her music at the 2023 World Junior Figure Skating Championships;[28] and Shun Sato performed to "Red Violin" at the 2023 International Challenge Cup.[29]

Personal life

Kawai is the single mother of a daughter, Kanon, who appeared with her onstage for the first time in The Day Embraced by the Moon / Prologue as young Gracia Hosokawa.[30] [7] [22] In 2015, Kawai was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the All Japan Shrines and Temples Tourism Association.[31] She is also a supporter of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.[15]

Discography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 一流のクラシックお届け　よんでんコンサート　１８日・高松　地元ソリスト３人出演. First-class classical music delivery Yonden concert 18th Takamatsu 3 local soloists. 2022-05-11. Cool Kagawa. 2023-03-04. ja.
  2. Web site: 幅広い名曲情熱的に　川井郁子さんコンサート　１０月８日・丸亀. A wide range of famous songs passionately Ikuko Kawai's concert October 8 Marugame. 2022-09-30. Cool Kagawa. 2023-03-04. ja.
  3. Web site: The famous Japanese violinist Ikuko Kawai's "Feelings of the Past" played a shareholder charm. 2021-10-26. Lai Times. 2023-03-05.
  4. Web site: バイオリニスト・川井郁子　和楽器とコラボ「月のような多面性を表現したい」. Violinist Ikuko Kawai Collaboration with Wagakki "I want to express multifacetedness like the moon". 2018-01-01. The Sankei News. 2023-03-05. ja.
  5. Web site: 世界的ヴァイオリニストが音と言葉、和楽器とのコラボレーションで奏でる音楽舞台「川井郁子の音がたり～源氏物語～inセルリアンタワー能楽堂」. A musical stage where a world-famous violinist collaborates with sounds, words, and traditional Japanese musical instruments.. PR Times. 2019-05-13. 2023-03-05. ja.
  6. Web site: 川井郁子と関根勤がバイオリン演奏とおしゃべり　映画音楽テーマに. Ikuko Kawai and Tsutomu Sekine play the violin and chat as movie music theme. 2022-06-17. Chunichi Shimbun. 2023-03-04. ja.
  7. Web site: 川井郁子デビュー20周年音楽舞台＆コンサート　公開フォトコール＆取材会が開催. Ikuko Kawai debut 20th anniversary music stage & concert public photo call & interview held. 2021. eplus. 2023-03-04. ja.
  8. Web site: ヴァイオリニスト・川井郁子が世界中の医療従事者に感謝を伝えるコンサートをオーチャードホールからライブ配信. Violinist Ikuko Kawai's concert to convey gratitude to medical workers around the world will be streamed live from Orchard Hall. 2020. eplus. 2023-03-05. ja.
  9. Web site: ヴァイオリンミューズ川井郁子が「源氏がたり」(林真理子 著)を艶やかな音楽舞台に演出. Violin Muse Ikuko Kawai directs "The Tale of Genji" (written by Mariko Hayashi) on a glamorous musical stage. eplus. 2017. 2023-03-05. ja.
  10. Web site: 川井郁子『LUNA』 7年ぶりのオリジナル・アルバムは、〈月〉の多面性をコンセプトにした意欲作. Ikuko Kawai "LUNA" Original album for the first time in 7 years. 2018-01-11. Mikki Tokyo. 2023-03-05. Noriko Hattori. ja.
  11. Web site: フォトレポート：ガラスが奏でる音--ハリオグラスからガラスのコーンスピーカー「玻璃音」 - 3/11. Photo Report: The Sound of Glass--Hario Glass to Glass Cone Speaker "Harion" - 3/11. 2008-11-27. CNET Japan. Megumi Kano. 2023-03-05. ja.
  12. Web site: 作品が生まれる舞台裏を見に行こう 【ヴァイオリニスト　川井郁子】. Let's go to see behind the scenes where works are born [Violinist Ikuko Kawai]. 2021-06-11. University of Osaka. 2023-03-05. ja.
  13. Web site: Recipients of Instruments. Nippon Music Foundation. 2023-03-05.
  14. Web site: 主要ヴァイオリン・メーカーと名工. Major violin makers and master craftsmen. suisougaku.info. 2023-03-05. ja.
  15. Web site: 川井郁子さん（バイオリニスト） 各地に根付いた料理 味わえるのが楽しい . Ikuko Kawai (violinist) Cuisine rooted in each region is fun to taste. 2022-12-19. The Japan Agricultural News. 2023-03-04. ja.
  16. Web site: ヴァイオリニスト・川井郁子にとっての映画、そしてその音楽とは？ 「その映画を観た頃の、宝物のような時間を思い出し、絆を温めてもらえたら」. What is cinema and music for violinist Ikuko Kawai? "I hope you can remember the time when you watched that movie, like a treasure, and warm your bond.". Kyoko Michishita. eplus. 2021. 2023-03-04. ja.
  17. Web site: 原田泰造主演で小説「ミッドナイト・バス」映画化、「ジャンプ」の監督と再タッグ. The novel "Midnight Bus" starring Taizo Harada, re-tag with the director of "Jump". 2017-02-26. Natalie. 2023-03-05. ja.
  18. Web site: Violinist Ikuko Kawai decided to participate in the Taiga drama travelogue of "Kirin ga Kuru" Comments arrived. eplus. 2023-03-05. ja.
  19. Web site: 原田泰造、"父性"と"男性"揺れる心情を体現『ミッドナイト・バス』予告編公開. Taizo Harada, "Midnight Bus" embodying the swaying emotions of "fatherhood" and "male" trailer release. 2017-10-05. Cinema Cafe. 2023-03-04. ja.
  20. Web site: バイオリニスト川井郁子20周年公演はオーケストラと和楽器融合、演奏しながら指揮にも挑戦. Violinist Ikuko Kawai's 20th anniversary performance fuses orchestra and traditional Japanese instruments, challenging conducting while performing. 2022-06-15. WBC. 2023-03-04. ja.
  21. Web site: 尾上右近「今回の公演は表現の総合格闘技」 詩楽劇『八雲立つ』取材会開催. Onoe Ukon "This performance is mixed martial arts of expression" Poetry drama "Yakumo tachi" interview held. 2022-11-29. Yahoo! Japan. 2023-03-04. ja.
  22. Web site: バイオリニスト川井郁子が音楽劇　デビュー２０周年の集大成　２８日、大阪で. Violinist Ikuko Kawai's musical theater debut 20th anniversary culmination on the 28th in Osaka. Haruhide Tsuya. 2021. Hyogo Odekake Plus. 2023-03-04. ja.
  23. Web site: バイオリニスト川井郁子「ぜひ見てください」自身制作総監督務める奏劇. Violinist Ikuko Kawai "Please take a look". 2021-06-01. WBC. 2023-03-04. ja.
  24. Web site: 川井郁子 Unframed notes. Ikuko Kawai Unframed notes. Tokyo FM. 2023-03-05. ja.
  25. Web site: Volosozhar and Trankov overcome family tragedy to claim Pairs gold at Europeans. Flade. Tatjana. 2013-01-24. Golden Skate. 2023-03-05.
  26. Web site: 羽生結弦「スケートの原点であり、本当に特別な曲です」、川井郁子7年ぶりのオリジナル・アルバムへのメッセージ公開. Yuzuru Hanyu "It's the origin of skating and it's a really special song", Ikuko Kawai's first original album release in 7 years. 2017-10-23. Billboard Japan. 2023-03-04. ja.
  27. Web site: 2021 Skate America Hub. 2021-10-16. Figure Skaters Online. 2023-03-05.
  28. Web site: Kao Miura takes lead at 2023 Junior Worlds. Slater. Paula. 2023-03-02. Golden Skate. 2023-03-05.
  29. Web site: Japan's Kao Miura takes Four Continents gold. Slater. Paula. 2023-02-12. Golden Skate. 2023-03-05.
  30. Web site: 川井郁子：羽生結弦選手との秘話明かす　シングルマザーとしての日々も　「徹子の部屋」で. Ikuko Kawai: Revealing a secret story with Yuzuru Hanyu, and her daily life as a single mother in "Tetsuko's Room". 2022-05-30. Mantan Web. 2023-03-04. ja.
  31. Web site: 川井郁子：「女性はもっと欲張っていい」　人気バイオリニストのデビュー15周年ツアースタート. Ikuko Kawai: "Women can be greedy" The popular violinist's 15th anniversary tour starts. 2016-04-15. Mainichi Kirei. 2023-03-05. ja.
  32. Web site: 天空を舞う音色を持つヴァイオリンの女神、川井郁子. Ikuko Kawai, the goddess of the violin with the tone that dances in the sky. 2005-12-14. Barks. 2023-03-05. ja.
  33. Web site: 美女バイオリニスト・川井郁子　新アルバムは「名曲の良さを伝える」渾身のデキ. Beautiful violinist Ikuko Kawai's new album is a full-fledged deki that "conveys the goodness of masterpieces". 2014-08-19. Zakzak. 2023-03-05. ja.
  34. Web site: ヴァイオリニスト・川井郁子のドキュメント番組がBS日テレで放送. Violinist Ikuko Kawai's documentary program broadcast on BS Nippon Television. 2016-02-24. Barks. 2023-03-05. ja.

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