Atsuhiko Gondai

Atsuhiko Gondai ( Japanese 権 代 敦 彦 , Gondai Atsuhiko ; born September 6, 1965 in Tokyo ) is a Japanese composer .

Gondai is one of the most important young composers in Japan . His interest is not in a specifically Japanese music , but in the cultural and religious dialogue between Europe and Asia : "I'm not interested in Japanese music at all" ("I'm not interested in Japanese music at all"). One focus of his work is the possibilities of linking and interactions between Catholic church music and traditional Buddhist monastery chants. In his works he skillfully combines old and new composition techniques. Infinity and eternity are recurring themes in his compositions.

Education and career

Gondai studied at the Toho Gauken School of Music and from 1990 to 1992 with a DAAD scholarship at the Freiburg State University of Music, composition with Yasuo Sueyoshi , Klaus Huber and Salvatore Sciarrino , and organ with Zsigmond Szathmáry . From 1993 he worked as a scientist at the Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists and until 1995 he studied computer music with Philippe Manoury at the Institut de Recherche et de Coordination Acoustique / Musique ( IRCAM ). Gondai has been giving lectures all over the world since 2000, including as part of visiting professorships in New Zealand or teaching at the Grieg Academy in Bergen . As a composer, he received commissions from well-known orchestras, and his works were performed internationally. He lives and works in Kanazawa (Japan) and Paris ( France ).

Awards

• Special Encouragement Prize for creative theatrical arts by the Agency of Cultural Affairs (Japan, 1985)
• 1st Prize in the Japan Music Competition (1987)
• 1st Prize in the International V.Bucchi Competition (Rome, 1991)
• 2nd Prize (special prize from the Moeck Verlag) in the International K.Serocki Competition (Warsaw, 1992)
• Honorary mention from the Barlow Foundation (USA, 1993)
• Selected for the International Gaudeamus Music Week (Amsterdam)
• Presented at the International Rostrum of Composers (UNESCO, Paris)

plant

• Infinite Light / Boundless Life
• premiere
• Dearest Jesus, We are here, marimba and voice
• 7 Meditations For An Imaginary Mass, Piano
• Dies Irae / Lacrimosa, orchestra, 1995
• Agnus Dei / Anus Mundi I, mixed choir and piano, 1995
• Agnus Dei / Anus Mundi II, mixed choir, piano and percussion, 1996
• Father Forgive + In paradisum, orchestra, 1998
• Rosario, mezzo-soprano, violoncello and piano, 1998
• Rapid Welcoming Descent, chamber orchestra, (2003)
• Via Crucis / Via Lucis, piano, 1999
• Beyond the Light - Gleam / Glean, mixed choir, 1999
• Prelude to the Last 7 Days, orchestra, 2000
• The Beginning of the End / After the End, chamber orchestra
• Wood still says nothing, marimbaphone, 2004
• jhapeta - a funeral music - for orchestra, 2007
• L'arc-en-ciel, alto saxophone and piano
• Zero, piano