Kikuko Ogura – Belle Epoque Harmony

Belle Epoque harmony

The Erard fortepiano (1891), which plays the beautiful sound of that time, will resound in the Church Hall of the Luther Museum. It begins with M.Ravel's Prélude, composed in honor of Ravel's friends who died in World War II. ICDebussy's 'Estampes' is inspired by the East, Spain and France. R.Taki's 'Minuet' and 'Regret' are the first piano pieces written by a Japanese. C. Chaminade was a very successful female composer. C.Debussy's 'Children's Corner' reminisces about the childhood that everyone experienced. 'L'Isle Joyeuse' where all people fly together to a world of happiness.

Kikuko Ogura

Kikuko Ogura studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts and then at the university itself. She continued her studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, where she graduated with honors. She won the first prize at the Japan Mozart Piano Competition 1989, the first prize in the ensemble section 1993 and the fortepiano section 1995, as well as the audience prize at the Bruges International Early Music Competition. She has made many appearances on television and radio. Her more than 50 CDs are highly recommended by newspapers and music magazines such as 'Record Geijutsu'. Other awards and prizes include the Grand Prize in the Record category of the National Arts Festival Japan 2012, the Music Pen Club Japan Award (Classical Instrumental/Vocal section) and an Honorable Mention in the JXTG Music Awards (Western Music section). She is the author of 'An Illustrated History of the Piano' (Kawade Shobō Shinsha), and has the critical edition of 'Giustini: Twelve Sonatas', parts I and II (Edition Kawai), and a collection of sonatinas entitled 'Raccolta di Sonatine ' (Ongaku-no-Tomo Sha Corp). She staged forty concerts in the series 'Kikuko Ogura's Mozart Klavier Room'. The series 'Kikuko Ogura – the World of the Fortepiano' was launched in 2020. She is the producer of the Fortepiano Academy SACLA Japan and is currently a part-time teacher at the Tokyo College of Music.