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Nishigata Akiko

西潟昭子

Nishigata Akiko
Born 1945

Koto

Akiko Nishigata studied Yamada-style koto from childhood, then entered the Tokyo National University of Fine Art and graduated from the traditional music department in 1967.
After graduation, she studied contemporary Japanese music with Shamisen master and composer Seiho Kineya. Since 1975, she has continued to commission contemporary shamisen works for her recitals.
At the 1979 Pan Music Festival Tokyo 79, Nishigata received the top soloist award, the German ambassador's prize and the judging committee's award. The following year she received the Minister of Education's award for up and coming performers.
Since 1978, she has held concerts throughout Asia and Europe. She has also participated in the ISCF(International Society of Contemporary Music Festival), Holland Festival, and the ACL.(Asian Composer League).
In 1984 she began to perform the genkan, an ancient stringed instrument restored by the National Theatre of Japan, and from 1988 the hitsu, another ancient stringed instrument in concerts, drama and court music settings.
She has commissioned works from a wide range of leading contemporary composers, including Shigeaki Saegusa, Hiroki Tamaki, Satoshiaki Sato, Katsuhiro Tsubonoh, Shinichiro Ikebe, Yorio Matsudaira, Kiyotomi Yoshizaki, Makoto Shinohara, Yuji Takahashi, Ushio Toriyasu, Akira Nishimura, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Nao Shibata, Makoto Moroi, Lou Harrison, Yoshihiro Kanno, Yuko Matsuo, Tokuhide Niimi, Yasumasa Morimoto, and Giovanni Sollima.
Today she heads a group called the Bion kai, and is a member of the Gendai Sankyoku Ensemble. She also serves as director of the shinten ongaku kyokai.
Nishigata has numerous recordings to her credit, including "Nishigata Akiko: Sangen"(ALM)," Nishigata Akiko: Hitori yumenishiaraba", and "Gendai no sangen Best 25"(Victor Musical Industries, Inc. Japan)

Teachers

Albums

New Spirits of Sangen New Spirits of Sangen

Tracks Recorded

Pieces KanjiLengthAlbumInstrument
Nasuno 那須野 18'22 Sankyoku Gassō Dai Zenshū vol. 5 (三曲合奏大全集5) Koto
Play Button Kyorai 去来 08'24 New Spirits of Sangen Shamisen
Play Button La La-La-La La 05'18 New Spirits of Sangen Shamisen
Meikyo 明鏡 12'45 Aoki Reibo no Shakuhachi Shamisen
Play Button Meikyo 明鏡 12'49 Musiques de l'Asie Traditionnelle Vol 20 Japon - The Shakuhachi of Reibo Aoki Shamisen
Play Button Meikyo 明鏡 12'50 New Spirits of Sangen Shamisen
Play Button Nagare for Shamisen 流れ 10'02 New Spirits of Sangen Shamisen
Play Button Shin Sarashi 新晒 11'56 New Spirits of Sangen Shamisen
Play Button To the Victims of Cain カインの犠牲者達のために 12'52 New Spirits of Sangen Shamisen
Nasuno 那須野 18'22 Sankyoku Gassō Dai Zenshū vol. 5 (三曲合奏大全集5) Voice