Commissions to Dai Fujikura and Misato Mochizuki

Made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, the Rising concert programme commissions composers Dai Fujikura and Misato Mochizuki to create new works for koto and ensemble. The programme will also feature Xi by Unsuk Chin, another innovative composition for koto and ensemble.

The title of Chin’s Xi refers to the quantum concept of the smallest indivisible unit, from which unity can be derived. This work complements the pieces by Fujikura and Mochizuki, all of which showcase the koto, bringing non-Western musical traditions into the realm of contemporary music.

Kazuki Yamada, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO) Chief Conductor, will lead the performances. He has previously introduced works by Dai Fujikura to his ensembles, exposing his music to wider audiences. Misato Mochizuki, while not yet well known in the UK, will gain greater exposure through this project.

In addition to the concert performances, these new works will become a regular part of the CBSO’s repertoire and will be incorporated into workshops for young people, including the Learn & Take Part programme, which fosters creative music-making.

This project not only brings Japan’s contemporary composers into the public spotlight but also educates audiences about the country’s rich musical heritage. It serves as an important platform for promoting international dialogue and collaboration in the Midlands.

Further Information:
bcmg.org.uk

Dates

May 4, 2025
Town Hall, Birmingham

July 4, 2025
Tokyo University of the Arts