Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Medieval

 

 

Renaissance

 

 

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Alba Musica Kyo is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1996 by Japanese pianist and conductor, Toshio Yanagisawa. The ensemble is based in Kyoto, Japan, and is known for its unique blend of Western classical music and traditional Japanese music. Toshio Yanagisawa, who serves as the ensemble's artistic director and conductor, was born in Tokyo in 1957. He studied piano at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and later went on to study conducting at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts. Yanagisawa has conducted numerous orchestras around the world, including the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra. The ensemble's name, Alba Musica Kyo, is a combination of the Latin word "alba," which means "dawn," and "musica," which means "music," and "kyo," which is short for Kyoto. The name reflects the ensemble's mission to create a new dawn in classical music by fusing Western and Japanese musical traditions. The ensemble's main members include Toshio Yanagisawa on piano and conducting, as well as a rotating cast of musicians who play traditional Japanese instruments such as the shakuhachi, koto, and shamisen, as well as Western instruments such as the violin, cello, and flute. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was their 2002 concert at the Lincoln Center in New York City, where they performed a program of works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. The concert was well-received by both audiences and critics, with The New York Times praising the ensemble's "exquisite blend of Western and Japanese musical traditions." In addition to their performances in the United States, Alba Musica Kyo has also toured extensively in Europe and Asia. They have performed at prestigious venues such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Konzerthaus, and the Suntory Hall in Tokyo. The ensemble has also received numerous awards and accolades for their performances and recordings. In 2003, they were awarded the Kyoto City Cultural Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the cultural life of the city. They have also been nominated for several Grammy Awards for their recordings, including their 2005 album, "Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 20 & 21." Alba Musica Kyo's unique blend of Western and Japanese musical traditions has earned them a dedicated following around the world. Their performances and recordings continue to inspire audiences and showcase the beauty and diversity of classical music.

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