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【Kaoru Wada】 　【 Japanese≫ 】
composer/arranger/producer
Kaoru Wada was born in 1962 in Shimonoseki city, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. From the age of 17, he taught himself composition, harmony and other music fundamentals.

In 1981, Wada entered the Tokyo College of Music, Composition Department. He studied composition from each of the following masters: Akira Ifukube, Sei Ikeno, and Reiko Arima. He also studied conducting under maestro Yasuhiko Shiozawa. While at the College, he won the 30th Anniversary Memorial Competition of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Band of Tokyo, as well as the Japan Symphony Foundation Award. His work, “Dozokuteki-Bukyoku [Folkloric Dance Music] for Symphonic Wind Ensemble,” was selected as Theme Composition [Subject Work] of the All Japan Band Contest in 1984.

After graduating from the Tokyo College of Music, Wada resided in Europe. There he observed the activities and operations of the orchestras of several nations, chiefly in Amsterdam. In 1986, his “Three Fragments for Orchestra” was debuted by the North Holland Philharmonic Orchestra (Noordhollands Philharmonisch Orkest), and was an enormous success. The following year, the work was performed again at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, as a piece on the Program of the Regular Season [Annual] Concert of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra (Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest; formerly, the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra).

In 1987, Wada’s work, “Aikake for Flute, Harp and Percussion,” won an award in the International Contemporary Music Composer Competition in New York City. In 1988, the premier of “Folkloric Dance Suite for Orchestra” was performed in Sweden, by the Malmo Symphony Orchestra (MSO). The work was performed again thereafter in many countries, including in the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Norway, the United States, and Japan. The work was released worldwide in 1990 on the Grammaphone Bis label.

Following his return to Japan, Wada was in charge of film music and accompanying music for animations (Japanese cartoons), including “Inuyasha,” as well as for movies, television, video, CD, dramas, and the stage. In 1995, his music for the Shochiku film, “Crest of Betrayal,” was awarded a Japan Academy Prize. He has also served as an arranger for several television music programs, including “The Untitled Concert” of TV-Asahi, and “Meikyoku Album” and “Minna-no-Doyo” of NHK. He has also been responsible for the arrangement of the works of artists such as Yoshikazu Mera, Sojiro, and Eitetsu Hayashi.

Along with these numerous activities, Wada has also published many works for Japanese indigenous instruments, plus works that use Japanese folklore and folksongs as motifs. He has published numerous works commissioned from Japan and abroad, including from the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gunma Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, and several others. In November 2003, he conducted his first concert dedicated solely to his own works, “The World of Kaoru Wada” in Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, with joint sponsorship by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.

biography

1962
Bone in Shimonoseki-City, Yamaguchi.Started studying composition and law of harmony on his own at the age of 17.His first work won in the All Japan ArtContest held by Obunsha. Afterword he won the first prize, the Special Prize from Presedent of Obunsha and the Special Prize from Presedent of Asahihousou in this concert for four years.

1981
Entered Tokyo College of Music.Studied composition under Prof. Akira Ifukube and Prof. SeiIkeno and conduct under Prof. Yasuhiko Shiozawa. While at Univercity, he won in the 30th Anniversaly Memorial Competition of Tokyo Marine Symphonic Band,and the Japan Orchestra Foundation Award. His work”Dozokuteki-Bukyoku for Shimphonic Wind Ensemble”was selected as subject work of the All Japan Brass Band Contest in 1984. 　

1986
Visited Europe to study activities and management of the Concertgebow Orchestra, the Berlin Fillharmony and the other local orchestras mainly in Amsterdam.The first performance of “Three Fragments for Orchestra” by the Noordlik Symphony Orchestra on the Netherlands made a enthusiastic success.In 1987, it was performed again as one of the programs in the Annual Concert of Netherlands Fillharmony Orchestra in Concertgebow.Five-night run was full and given a standingsovation.

1987
“Aikake for Flute, Harp and Percussion” won a prize novel in the International Contemporary Music of Composer Award in New York.

1988
The first performance of “Folkloric Dance Suite for Orchestra” by Malmo Symphony orchestra was held Sweden. Afterword it was performed in Holland,France, Switzerland, Spain, Germeny, Denmark, Japan and other countries. Composed “Rakuichi-Nanaza for Japanese Traditional Fiute and Japanese and Western percussion” for the Michigan Percussion ensemble and the Pro Musica Nipponia at the commission of the Music Society of Univercity of Michigan. It’s first performance was in Ann Arbor,Michigan State,and it was perfor med as a progran of “The Music From Japan” in many places in Detroit and New York and had enthusiastic support.After coming back to Japan in April, he produced the concert of the Michigan Percussion Ensemble in Japan.Perticipated in the regular concert of ProMusica Nipponia and made a tour of Japan with them and engaged in their activities such as recording or lecture classes.Started producing film music and TV music.

1989
Established the Wada Music Office.Produced the music for films, TV programs, Videos etc.Started planning, organising the concerts and arranging for symphony orchestras such as the Shinsei Symphony Orchestra.As to contemporary music, he presented a lot of works for ethnic instrment or creative instrument,which includs commissioned works by the Japan Percussion Society, the Pro Musica Nipponia, the Kunitachi College of Music, the Shinsei Symphony Orchestra etc.

1990
Recorded “Folkloric Dance Suite for Orchestra” by the Sweden Malmo Symphony orchestra. It was sold worldwide at the same time with BIS label.

1992
Established the Music Atlier of Tkyo Co.,Ltd.Opened a studio.Supervised, planned and organized the Christmas Concert sponsored by Suntory Hall and was also in charge of arrangement and conduct for it.

1993
Composed “Symphonic Orchestra Silent Mobius” which was recorded with the Moscow Phillharmony Symphony Orchestra and Harmony Chorus in Russia.Composed, arranged, planned and conducted the Film Opera Event sponsored by the Pioneer LDC.Started planning, organizing, arrangingorchestra(consisting of ten series) sponsored by theShinseiSymphony Orchestra.On October, the first performance of “GO-ZA-KYOH-EN”by marimbist Keiko Abe and Michigan Chamber Players in PAS convention concert. Teaching composition master class at University of Michigan and Duqueane Uiversity.

1994
Composed “NANA-ZA-KYO-EN for solo marimba andpercussion ensemble” which was performed as the first performance by Keiko Abe and CONTON percussion ensemble in Swizerland. Afterword it was performed by Keiko Abe and Koumata in Sweden, Swizerland, Hong Kong and other countries.

1995
Music of the film”CREST OF BETRAYAL” won the music prize of Nippon Academy Awards 18th.Composed “TRIPTYCH for 15 players” at the commission of The Pittsbrugh New Music Ensemble. It was performed as the world premiere by them in Pittsbrugh.

(2004.05)