Saitama Hall Lunchtime Concert Vol.63
Hougaku Quartet

January 9, 2025 (Thursday)
Starts at 12:10 PM (Ends at approximately 1:00 PM)

Saitama Hall / Large Hall

• Noriko Hirata (Koto, Sangenshin, Jushichigen)
• Yuiko Terai (Koto, Sangenshin, Jushichigen)
• Shogo Hiyoshi (Koto, Sangenshin, Jushichigen)
• Suzutaka Kuroda (Shakuhachi)

• Akira Miyoshi: Nagare Nagarete Shohsui-fu
• Shoichi Asahi: Quartet for Japanese Instruments
• Kengyo Kikukawa: Goyama Shishi
• Michio Miyagi: Haru no Umi (Spring Sea)
(Order subject to change.)

Saitama Arts Foundation

Saitama City

the Hougaku Quartet

The Hougaku Quartet was formed in spring 2011 by graduates of the Tokyo University of the Arts Department of Traditional Japanese Music. Their mission is to create music that reflects both the “now” and the “future” using traditional Japanese instruments. Their activities are centered on three pillars:
1. Commissions of new works: Collaborating with composers to explore modern and future directions for traditional Japanese music.
2. Reviving masterpieces of contemporary Japanese music: Reperforming works composed after the 1960s.
3. Traditional ensemble performances: Rooted in the classic trio of koto, sangenshin, and shakuhachi.
They have held 12 regular concerts in Tokyo and received acclaim for their performances. Notable achievements include:
• 2015: Performed Matsu no Kyoku (1976) by Teruyuki Noda on NHK-FM’s Hogaku no Hitotoki.
• 2016: Released their debut CD, Hogaku Quartet: Teruyuki Noda Hogaku Works (Kojima Recordings, ALM RECORDS), recognized as a Special Selection by Record Geijutsu and a Recommended Disc by Ongaku Gendai.
• 2023: Featured at the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris and recorded a CD, The Art of Sankyoku with France’s OCORA label, to be released in March 2024.
• Other notable performances include Hogaku Quartet Plays Hifumi Shimoyama, Akira Miyoshi’s World II, and a New York performance organized by Asia Society and the Japan Foundation.
The Quartet’s innovative artistry continues to receive high praise worldwide.
Visit their official website: https://hougakuquartet.com