MIEKO MIYAZAKI (Japan)

Born in Tokyo, Mieko Miyazaki started studying the Japanese Koto with Tomizo Huruya and Sachiko Tamura. After being accepted to the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, her training finished with an invitation to perform as a soloist in the presence of the imperial couple in Japan. She graduated in 1992, and the following year she was awarded the highest distinctions by the national radio NHK-FM.

Chosen by the Japan Foundation to represent Japan during international cultural events, she performed various concerts in Asia, Europe and throughout the United States. Despite her youth she revealed an unexpected talent in lyricism and composition and created several original works for the NHK-TV children’s programs.

In 2003, her work “The Current,” (CD Columbia Records-Japan) for Koto and Shakuhachi Flute of Dozan FUJIWARA is considered one of the thirty most beautiful koto compositions of all time by the Hogaku Journal specialists, the Kotoby. This recording brings her total to nine albums currently distributed in Japan and, for some, in the United States.

Her compositions have been praised by Miyako Itchu, the famous master of Shamisen, as well as supreme recognition from the legendary Koto performer Mrs. Kazue Sawai who said, “Mieko Miyazaki’s compositions really open up new perspectives in Koto music. ” Upon moving to France in 2005 as an anonymous musician with an instrument relatively unknown to the European market, Mieko Miyazaki became immediately recognized and soon established herself worldwide as one of the leading figures in Japanese Koto, pushing the limits and capacities of her music and instrument in many different music genres. Besides her solo projects, she collaborates with numerous artists, including jazz guitarist Nguyên Lê, which led to the creation of the “Sayuki” trio with renowned tabla player Prabhu Edouard (CD “Sayuki” ACT), and also the “Miyazaki Trio” with Bruno Maurice (accordion) and Manuel Solans (Violin) (CD “Saiko” daqui/Harmonia Mundi), which was honored by the magazine Trad. She also recorded a magical collaboration with the Corsican voices “Voce Ventu” (CD “Tessi Tessi” daqui/Harmonia Mundi) with a TV documentary “When Islands Meet”.

Mieko Miyazaki composes and performs live music for the Ariadone Ballet Company “Chez Ikkyu” with choreographer Carlota Ikeda. In 2011 Philippe Chamouard composed the concerto “Pavillon d’Or” for koto of Mieko Miyazaki.

In 2014 she was invited to the Violin on the Sand festival where she played her composition “Hachigatsu” with his orchestra. In 2015, seeking exposure for the koto and Japanese music in general, she appeared on The Voice on French TV network TF1 and La boite a Musique show with Jean-François Zygel on France 2. The same year she also created the duo “Dankin” with jazz saxophonist Franck Wolf, recording on the label WM Music and performing at the 2015 Paris Jazz Festival. She participated as well on jazz double bass player Michel Benita’s “River Silver” project, produced by Manfred Eicher and released in January 2016 on the ECM label

MIEKO MIYAZAKI (Japan)

Projects

I. Trio Miyazaki

Mieko Miyazaki koto et chant
Manuel Solans violon
Bruno Maurice accordéon

Meeting of koto, violin and accordion. The repertory is composed of their original tunes, Japanese oldies pop songs, French chanson, etc etc… You can taste delicious cooking of three instruments by three characteristic musicians with world wide flavors!

II. Mieko Miyazaki et Quatuor Yako

Koto – Mieko Miyazaki

feat.

Violon – Ludovic Thilly
Violon – Pierre Maestra
Alto – Vincent Verhoeven
Violoncelle – Alban Lebrun

This meeting between a Japanese kotoïst and a young French string quartet is truly explosive ! 

Five amazing musicians on stage will bring you into the colorful universe of the composer Mieko Miyazaki, for a trip where irresistible rythms and lyrical themes will make you dance while crying of emotion. Joyful !

III. “KYOKU”

Mieko Miyazaki (koto) and Suizan Lagrost (shakuhachi)

Excellent duo for Japanese traditional music. Two virtuoso musicians of koto and shakuhachi bamboo flute present you japanese classical pieces. Musically and technically this duo has been admired by maestros in Japan. Enjoy the univers of pure Far East Asian.