The Nishikawa Ensemble is a
chamber group that explores the frontiers of
both traditional and contemporary music. Founded
by Kohei Nishikawa, one of Japan's most accomplished
players of Japanese and Western flutes, the
Ensemble's focus is to create a truly global
sound that bridges the often-encountered divide
between the ancient and the modern. The repertoire
of the Ensemble blends traditional music and
instruments of various origins, such as Asian
and European, with contemporary pieces written
directly for the group. The result is a sound,
which is both subtle and evocative, and virtually
unique in the world of chamber music.
The Nishikawa Ensemble exists as a collective.
The aim is to stimulate creativity and diversity
through the interaction of the highly trained
and dedicated musicians that makeup the organization.
Emphasis is placed on a deep understanding of
the performing traditions involved, and a willingness
to challenge and extend the conventions of these
traditions through collaboration.
An important aspect of this arrangement is the
inclusion of a composer within the collective.
It permits the Ensemble to have a constant supply
of new repertoire composed in direct consultation
with the performers, and the composer is assured
of performances that truly reflect the nature
and intention of the pieces. In addition, the
Nishikawa Ensemble is active in commissioning
pieces by other composers, and regularly premieres
innovative new works.
MEMBERS
Liu Fang ( Chinese Pipa & Guzheng )
Patrick Graham ( Percussion,Frame-Drums &
Taiko )
David Loeb ( Composer )
Hideko Nara ( Piano )
Kohei Nishikawa ( Japanese and Western flutes
)
¡Group
History
The Nishikawa Ensemble was established
in 1997 in Toronto. This year saw the Ensemble
in it's first appearance at the Music Gallery
in Toronto, and in collaboration with the taiko
ensemble Yakudo at the Japanese Canadian Cultural
Center. The group also performed as guests the
Group Concert of Chinese Canadian Choir of Toronto
held at the Ford Center.
In 1998, concerts were given at Walter Hall,
University of Toronto, under the sponsorship
of the Harmony International Club (Toronto),
and at the Music Gallery. That year, the Ensemble
also collaborated with group Oto-Wa Daiko in
a concert at the Museum of Civilization, Hull,
Quebec. A performance at the 1999 Montreal Asian
Heritage Festival marked the first appearance
by the Ensemble in Montreal.
Thanks in part to a grant from the Japan-Canada
Fund of the Canada Council for the Arts, 2000
saw the expansion of the Nishikawa Ensemble's
activities to include a tour of three Canadian
cities. At the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur
in Montreal, and the Music Gallery in Toronto,
the Ensemble performed in concert and conducted
workshops.
In addition there were performances at the Japan
Festival in Saint-Valentine, Quebec, and at
the Palais Montcalm, in Quebec City.
