Chikage Imai was born in Nagoya (Japan) and studied with Akihiko Matsui at Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music. She met and was inspired by Joji Yuasa – a notable Japanese composer – at Composium 2002 and he became familiar with her music at the Akiyoshidai summer seminar that same year, since which he has been her mentor. Moving to Europe in 2003, Imai continued to study composition with Wim Henderickx and Fabio Nieder at Conservatorium van Amsterdam where she received her bachelor and master’s diplomas, supported by Rohm Music foundation.
In her compositions, Imai regards music as an organism and explores her concept of a “vector in music” to expand its sensory possibilities. Her artistic practice has led Imai to engage in and direct various works that deepened her connection with visual art, photography, contemporary dance and scenography.
Imai’s musical activity has been broadened internationally through her first successful chamber ensemble piece Vectorial Projection I – bouncing ball (2006). The piece was premiered by Nieuw Ensemble under Lucas Vis and performed again in Gaudeamus muzikweek, the work was also awarded an honorable mention by the 28th Irino Prize for Chamber Music. In 2008 Vectorial Projection IV – fireworks was commissioned by Festival d’Automne á Paris and premiered by Irvine Arditti and Nieuw Ensemble under Yoichi Sugiyama. Verbarizing (2009) was composed for Ayako Okubo’s concert by Hanatsu mirior.Simulgenesis (2009) was written for the 4th International Composition Seminar of the International Ensemble Modern Academy and this piece led Westdeutschen Rundfunks to commission Imai to write a piece for Ensemble Modern. The piece, Morphing - state of matter (2011) was premiered
Photo by Ayumi Fujita
by the ensemble under Johannes Kalitzke at Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik and broadcasted on WDR3 program. In 2012 towards G was commissioned by Music from Japan and the piece was premiered in New York, U.S.A. H into H written for horn and harpsichord received the an honorable mention by Prix Annalie de Man Prize. Arcs (2013) was written for a notable recorder player, Toshiya Suzuki’s recital. It was the first time that Imai composed for a Japanese traditional instrument, Shô and Koto in this piece. One of her biggest cross media art work series “Synecdochism” is concerned an idea “breathing” in a manner of Japanese traditional cultures to think about “perception”. With Synecdochism II <continuity> (2016) her portrait concert succeeded in Strasbourg by HANATSU miroir - put her on the stage to go for more interdisciplinary experiment. Furthermore she was invited for contemporary music workshops such as De Componist(NL), Ostrava Days (CZ), Akiyoshidai summer seminar(JP) and more. In 2020 Imai was offered to write a short piece for a big chamber ensemble piece for the 40th anniversary of Ensemble Modern as only one Japanese composer after master composers like Ennio Morricone and Helmut Lachenmann.
In recent years, her interest in a close coexistence between art and society has led to her organizing the contemporary music academy and the lecture and concert series Crossboundary to further establish contemporary music in Aichi with an organisation “Seainx project” founded by her own in 2013. Through the activities she has participated in locally-rooted projects and events, such as ARToC10 and Aichi Triennale 2016, 2019 (Open Competition for Stage Performance). After those achievements she created Synecdochism III for Aichi Triennale 2022 as an invited composer by the festival and received a lot of praises from people who are not only involved in contemporary music but also contemporary art.
Moreover, In the winter of 2023, a commissioned work “Starry Bulges for 21 musicians” celebrating the 20th anniversary of the International Ensemble Modern Academy and “Bucolic for Arpa Doppia” written for Maximilian Ehrhardt were premiered in Germany and received high praise.
Imai’s music is published Muzikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm and Ensemble Modern Media. Through being an honorary research associate at Royal Holloway, University of London, she is currently an artistic director of Seainx project.
Curriculum Vitae
Born in Nagoya, Japan, in 1979
Education
<2013>
Georges Aperghis, Clemens Gadenstätter and Peter Ablinger’s composition courses and lectures at impuls 2013 in Graz, Austria
<2009>
Rebecca Saunders, Richard Ayres, Bernhard Lang, and Christian Wolff’s composition courses and workshops at Ostrava Days in Ostrava, Czech
Aquired Master diploma at Conservatorium van Amsterdam
<2007>
A few composition lessons from Beat Furrer in Frankfurt, Germany
<2006>
Aquired Bachelor diploma at Conservatorium van Amsterdam
<2002>
Mentored by Joji Yuasa (-current)
Joji Yuasa’s composition courses and workshops at Akiyoshidai summer seminar of contemporary music (-2005, 2008)
Enrolled to the below mentioned university as a researcher for a year
Aquired the Bachelor degree at Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music
Occupation
<2013>
Seainx project, Representative & Artistic director
<2012>
HAL College of Technology ad Design, Lector (- 2013)
<2009>
Honorary Research Associate in composition at Royal Holloway, University of London, Honorary Research Associate
Prize
<2017>
Winning of “Call for Score” by Diaphonia Edizioni, in collaboration with XelmYa+ trio
<2012>
Honorable mention of the Prix Annelie de Man Prize
<2007>
Honorable mention of the 28th Irino Prize for Chamber music
<2001>
The prize of the Aichi Prefectural Student Competition of Composition
Grants
<2021>
ARToC10 (for lecture & concert series “Crossboundary XII~ make a ring of community, shrine and canal”)*
Aichi prefectural foundation for cultural activities (for lecture & concert series “Crossboundary XII ~ make a ring of community, shrine and canal”)*
<2020>
ARToC10 (for lecture & concert series “Crossboundary XI ~ make a ring of community, shrine and canal”)*
<2019>
ARToC10 (for lecture & concert series “Crossboundary VII, VIII, IX, X ~ make a ring of community, shrine and canal”)*
Aichi prefectural foundation for cultural activities (for lecture & concert series “Crossboundary VII, VIII, IX, X ~ make a ring of community, shrine and canal”)*
Yellow angel (for Seainx 2019 “Sound by Air Reed Instruments” (Aichi triennial 2019), lecture & concert series “Crossboundary VII, VIII, IX, X ~ make a ring of community, shrine and canal”)*
* organized project by Seainx project
<2018>
ARToC10 (for Synecdochism II <continuity>'s performances)
Yellow angel (for Synecdochism II <continuity>'s performances)
Sarah foundation (for shooting Noh masks of Toyohashi No Society to perform Synecdochism II <continuity>)
<2017>
Aichi bank education & arts foundation (for Seainx 2017 the 1st Nagoya international contemporary music academy)
<2016>
Nomura foundation (for Synecdochism II <continuity>'s performances in France and residence in Born Digital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Yellow angel (for Synecdochism II <continuity>'s performances in France and residence in Born Digital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
<2010>
The Asahi Shimbun Foundation (for research in Europe)
<2009>
Wet werk en inkomen kunstenaars (the Artist’s Income Support), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
<2008>
Rohm Music Foundation (for commission fee of Festival d’Automne)
<2005>
Rohm Music Foundation, Kyoto, Japan (-2009) (for study at Conservatorium van Amsterdam)
Professional experience
<2014>
Akiyoshidai Contemporary music Seminar 2014
<2011>
Lecture at 2nd LLD at Sugiyama Jogakuin University, Nagoya, Japan “Design in Music - image of sound”
<2010>
Talk and concert at Noh × Contemporary Music
<2008>
International Composition Seminar of International Ensemble Modern Academy 08/09
Media
CD
<2018>
”Interweave" on the CD "Calls, Studies & Games - SaVaSa Trio"
<2014>
“Traveling pieces” portrait CD of Saar Berger
<2012>
“Music for Daydreams” CD of Ken Ishii
<2009>
“Люлка ( lijlka )” portrait CD of Sava Stoianov
<2006>
“TRISHADE” portrait CD of Chikage Imai
<2005>
“Una voce poco fa” CD of Alliage Saxophone Quartet and Jang Eun Bae
Book & Magazine
<2019>
Nagoya Theater Journal
<2018>
Nagoya Theater Journal
<2016>
Spanish webmagazine"SULPONTICELLO" by David Dúran
<2011 >
Article about Joji Yuasa, “Signpost of my music” by Chikage Imai on Kozui
<2009>
Contemporary Compositional Techniques and OpenMusic by Rozalie Hirs, Bob Gilmore
Newspaper
<2019>
Interview (Chunichi newspaper) Oct 2019
Articles about ARToC 10 “Crossboundary” (Chunichi, Higashi Aichi, Chubukeizai)
<2018>
Interview (Chunichi newspaper) 16 Nov 2018
Articles about ARToC 10 "Synecdochism II" (Chunichi, Higashi Aichi, Chubukeizai)
<2016>
Interview about Synecdochism II <continuity> (Chunichi newspaper) 23 Aug 2016
<2011>
Interview about Canal Art 2011 on The Asahi Shimbun (朝日新聞社), October 27 2011 → Inerview about canal art 2011.pdf
Achievement
<2022>
Synecdochism III Aichi Triennale 2022 “STILL ALIVE”
ARToC10 “Crossboundary XI ~ make a ring of community, shrine and canal” Nishimiya shrine and Hiromi Ikoi no Mori, Nagoya, Japan (2020)
ARToC10 “Crossboundary XII ~ make a ring of community, shrine and canal” Nishimiya shrine and Hiromi Ikoi no Mori, Nagoya, Japan (2021)
<2020>
Beschenkt: Festakt 40 Jahre Ensemble Modern / Ceremony 40 Years Ensemble Modern
<2019>
ARToC10 “Crossboundary VII, VIII, IX, X ~ make a ring of community, shrine and canal” Nishimiya shrine, Nagoya, Japan
<2018>
ARToC10 "Synecdochism II <continuity>"Nishimiya shrine, Nagoya, Japan
<2017>
CICLO DE CONCERTOS. MÚSICA E ARTE: CORRESPONDENCIAS SONORAS General confessionat CGAC, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Ernest Rombout Oboe Master Class & Concert at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and Shibuya Actus Nonaka Anna Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Seainx 2017 The 1st Nagoya International Contemporary Music Academy
<2016>
MASQUE Chikage Imai at Espace K, Strasbourg, France
Crossboundary spin-off, Recorder & Trumpet lecture & concert by Miako & Sava
Aichi triennale 2016
<2015>
Crossboundary V Violin lecture & concert by Maya Egashira at Studio Haru, Nagoya, Japan
Trio Concert of Ensemble JUPE at Himeji Caspa Hall, Hyogo, Japan
<2014>
Crossboundary IV Koto lecture & concert by Nanae Yoshimura at HITOMI hall, Japan
<Idea> music x flower x Azumaryu (Japanese sake)
Crossboundary III Flute lecture & concert by Ayako Okubo at Nagoya design center building 7F, the 1st studio, Nagoya, Japan
“Drawing” is on the portrait CD of Saar Berger released from Ensemble Modern Media
2014 MINI SERIES - Ensemble Studio 6 at SKC, Kragujevac, Serbia
Crossboundary II Recorder lecture & concert by Tosiya Suzuki
Simulgenesis is on CD released by Ensemble Modern Media
<2013>
Toshiya Suzuki Recorder Recital in Shinokubi, Tokyo, Japan
<2012>
November Music in Den Bosch, The Netherlands
Joji Yuasa ou la poétique des formes - Concert by French artist group "HANATSUmiroir" in Strasbourg, France
Music from Japan Festival at Merkin concert hall in New York, United States of America
<2011>
Dounji (temple) Concert
Nakagawa Canal Art Project One in Nagoya, Japan (中川運河キャナルアート2011 Project One)
Takefu International Music Festival
Ensemble Modern’s regular concert at Alter Oper in Frankfurt, Germany
Wittener Tagen für Neue Kammermusik 2011 in Witten, Germany
Podiumkunst voor Onaalledaagse Kamermuziek (concert of Marieke Franssen) at De Link in Tilburg, The Netherlands
<2010>
Akari Night - Akari Festival in Nagoya, Japan
Noh x Contemporary Music / vol.2 talk & concert Chikage Imai
Tokyo Sinfonietta the 28th Subscription Concert “Joji Yuasa” in Tokyo Japan
ZWEI Instrument in Frankfurt, Germany
Podiumkunst voor Onaalledaagse Kamermuziek (concert of Sax&Stix) at De Link in Tilburg, The Netherlands
Nakagawa Canal Art Project Zero in Nagoya, Japan (中川運河キャナルアート2010 Project Zero)
<2009>
Concert from a French artist group Hanatsu ~mirior vol.1~ in Tokyo, Japan
Concert from a French artist group Hanatsu ~mirior vol.1~ in Strasbourg, France
Ostrava Days 2009 in Ostrava, Czech republic
Finale Concert Internationaal Kamermuziek Concours in Almere, The Netherlands
“Japanese Mix”, a concert of Sax&Stix in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The 4th International Composition Seminar of the International Ensemble Modern Academy in Frankufurt and Munich, Germany
<2008>
Klangwerktage 2008 in Hamburg, Germany
Suite Muziekweek 2008 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Festival d'Automne à Paris 2008 in Paris, France
"Componist van de week" by a Dutch Radio 4 programma in The Netherlands
Dark Musie Days 2008 in Reykjavík, Iceland
<2007>
Concert of Miako Klein and Sava Stoianov in Lindow, Germany
Sibelius Akademian Konsettisalissa 2007 in Helsinki, Finland
<2006>
Gaudeamus music festival 2006 at Muziekgebouw aan't IJ in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Project Open Music at Paradiso in Amsterdam
Portrait concert "Scharnieren -music and art space-" at De Ijsbreker in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
<2005>
Project, Echo studio "Buriccha" in Japan, music for the illustrations for children
Project, Composer exchange Amsterdam-Berlin from a composer group, Klangnetz and Adapter ensemble in Berlin, Germany
<2004>
Project, Collaboration of Young Japanese Artist at Overtoom 301 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Project, Opera uit het Hart from Stichting Yo! in Utrecht, The Netherlands
<2003>
The 3rd concert of CHAM in Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
<2002>
The 2nd concert of CHAM with a commission by the hall of Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
<2001>
The 1st concert of CHAM at the town of Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
Formed the composer group, CHAM with composer friends from the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music
Copyright 2024 Chikage Imai all rights received