Ikuko Kawai

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Ikuko Kawai
川井郁子
Born (1968-01-19) January 19, 1968 (age 56)
Takamatsu, Japan
GenresClassical music, electronic, instrumental
Occupation(s)Composer, violinist
Instrument(s)Violin
Years active2000–present
Websiteikukokawai.com

Ikuko Kawai (Japanese: 川井郁子, Hepburn: Kawai Ikuko, born January 19, 1968, Takamatsu) is a classically trained Japanese violinist and composer.[1][2]

Early life and education[edit]

Among Kawai's favorite childhood memories are going to the cinema with her father Kiyoshi; she was captivated by film's soundtracks.[3][4] She took music lessons in Marugame City and later attended Tokyo University of the Arts for her Bachelor's and graduate degrees.[5] She also attended the Vienna Conservatory of Music.[6]

Career[edit]

Kawai has performed both in Japan and internationally,[7] including with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.[6] She performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2008[8][9][7] and at the Paris Opera House in 2015.[10][8][9] In March 2019, she performed The Tale of Genji to open the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.[10] Kawai has appeared alongside and collaborated with musicians and artists such as Tsutomu Sekine,[11] Manami Konishi, Miyu Sakihi, Jun Shibuki, Akinori Nakagawa, Masafumi Akikawa,[4][7] Myung-whun Chung, José Carreras,[12] and Gipsy Kings.[9]

Kawai incorporates Japanese instruments, including the shakuhachi, biwa, shō, taiko drums, hichiriki, and koto, into her music.[13][14][15] She has performed on a number of unique and rare instruments, including on the world's first glass violin (2008),[16] on a 1715 Stradivarius owned by the University of Osaka (2021),[17][18] and on a violin crafted by Francesco Rugeri.[19] In addition to performing, she teaches at Osaka University.[20][3]

Kawai composed for the films Torokko (2009), Trolley (2010), A Chorus of Angels (2016), and Midnight Bus (2017);[9][21] her music is also used as the theme song for Awaiting Kirin.[22] In 2016, she won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Music for Junji Sakamoto's film A Chorus of Angels.[23][13][7][24] In 2022, she provided music for the drama Yakumo Tachi at the Izutsu Costume Series along with Seigo Yoshii.[25]

She appeared on TV Tokyo's miniseries 100 Years of Music[1] and in 2016 in the documentary Kanojo no Debut 15th Anniversary Commemoration, Japanese Violin Music Journey Beginning in Paris on Nippon BS Broadcasting.[24] 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.[7][26] In 2022, she formed the Japanese-Western mixed orchestra Hibiki.[20] Additionally, she hosts the Tokyo FM radio show Ikuko Kawai Unframed.[27]

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;[28] Yuzuru Hanyu skated to her song "White Legend" at the 2014 Sochi Olympics;[29] Nam Nguyen performed to "White Legend" at 2021 Skate America;[30] Naoki Rossi skated to her music at the 2023 World Junior Figure Skating Championships;[31] and Shun Sato performed to "Red Violin" at the 2023 International Challenge Cup.[32]

Personal life[edit]

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.[33][4][7] In 2015, Kawai was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the All Japan Shrines and Temples Tourism Association.[9] She is also a supporter of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.[20]

Discography[edit]

  • 2000: Red Violin[7]
  • 2001: Violin Muse
  • 2002: Instinct
  • 2004: Aurora
  • 2005: Arashigaoka/Wuthering Heights[34]
  • 2006: La Japonaese
  • 2007: Violin Muse: The Best of Ikuko Kawai
  • 2008: The New World
  • 2010: Reborn[17]
  • 2014: The Melody ~ 100 Years of Music ~[1]
  • 2016: LINK ~The Best of Ikuko Kawai~[24]
  • 2017: LUNA[23][29]
  • 2021: Violin on Ice[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "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"] (in Japanese). Zakzak. 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  2. ^ "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] (in Japanese). Cool Kagawa. 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  3. ^ a b Kyoko Michishita (2021). "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."] (in Japanese). eplus. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  4. ^ a b c "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] (in Japanese). eplus. 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  5. ^ "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] (in Japanese). Cool Kagawa. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  6. ^ a b "The famous Japanese violinist Ikuko Kawai's "Feelings of the Past" played a shareholder charm". Lai Times. 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Haruhide Tsuya (2021). "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] (in Japanese). Hyogo Odekake Plus. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  8. ^ a b "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"] (in Japanese). The Sankei News. 2018-01-01. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  9. ^ a b c d e "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] (in Japanese). Mainichi Kirei. 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  10. ^ a b "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.] (in Japanese). PR Times. 2019-05-13. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  11. ^ "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] (in Japanese). Chunichi Shimbun. 2022-06-17. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  12. ^ "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] (in Japanese). eplus. 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  13. ^ a b "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] (in Japanese). WBC. 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  14. ^ "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] (in Japanese). eplus. 2017. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  15. ^ Noriko Hattori (2018-01-11). "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] (in Japanese). Mikki Tokyo. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  16. ^ Megumi Kano (2008-11-27). "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] (in Japanese). CNET Japan. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  17. ^ a b c "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]] (in Japanese). University of Osaka. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  18. ^ "Recipients of Instruments". Nippon Music Foundation. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  19. ^ "主要ヴァイオリン・メーカーと名工" [Major violin makers and master craftsmen] (in Japanese). suisougaku.info. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  20. ^ a b c "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] (in Japanese). The Japan Agricultural News. 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  21. ^ "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"] (in Japanese). Natalie. 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  22. ^ "Violinist Ikuko Kawai decided to participate in the Taiga drama travelogue of "Kirin ga Kuru" Comments arrived" (in Japanese). eplus. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  23. ^ a b "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] (in Japanese). Cinema Cafe. 2017-10-05. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  24. ^ "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] (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  25. ^ "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"] (in Japanese). WBC. 2021-06-01. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  26. ^ "川井郁子 Unframed notes" [Ikuko Kawai Unframed notes] (in Japanese). Tokyo FM. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  27. ^ Flade, Tatjana (2013-01-24). "Volosozhar and Trankov overcome family tragedy to claim Pairs gold at Europeans". Golden Skate. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  28. ^ a b "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] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  29. ^ "2021 Skate America Hub". Figure Skaters Online. 2021-10-16. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  30. ^ Slater, Paula (2023-03-02). "Kao Miura takes lead at 2023 Junior Worlds". Golden Skate. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  31. ^ Slater, Paula (2023-02-12). "Japan's Kao Miura takes Four Continents gold". Golden Skate. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  32. ^ "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"] (in Japanese). Mantan Web. 2022-05-30. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  33. ^ "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] (in Japanese). Barks. 2005-12-14. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
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