Tokyo Sinfonietta is a classical music ensemble based in Tokyo, Japan. The ensemble was founded in 1989 by conductor and pianist Yasushi Akutagawa, with the aim of promoting contemporary classical music in Japan and abroad. The ensemble's main members include a core group of around 20 musicians, including string players, wind players, and percussionists. The ensemble also frequently collaborates with guest soloists and conductors from around the world. Over the years, Tokyo Sinfonietta has performed a wide range of classical music repertoire, from Baroque and Classical works to contemporary compositions. The ensemble has also commissioned and premiered numerous new works by Japanese and international composers. One of the highlights of Tokyo Sinfonietta's early years was its performance at the 1992 Tokyo International Music Festival, where the ensemble received critical acclaim for its performance of works by Stravinsky, Takemitsu, and others. The ensemble has since gone on to perform at numerous other festivals and concert series in Japan and abroad, including the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Garden series, the Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall series, and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. In addition to its live performances, Tokyo Sinfonietta has also released several recordings, including a CD of works by Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu and a DVD of a live performance of Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale." Over the years, Tokyo Sinfonietta has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances and contributions to the classical music world. In 2001, the ensemble was awarded the Tokyo Metropolitan Prize for Art and Culture, and in 2014, it received the Japan Record Academy Award for its recording of Takemitsu's "A Flock Descends into the Pentagonal Garden." Despite the challenges faced by classical music ensembles in the modern era, Tokyo Sinfonietta has continued to thrive and innovate, remaining a vital force in the Japanese and international classical music scenes. With its commitment to promoting new music and collaborating with artists from around the world, the ensemble is sure to remain a fixture of the classical music world for years to come.

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