| Motoharu
Kawashima (b. 1972, Tokyo, Japan) studied composition with Isao Matsushita
and Jo Kondo at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He
received his masters degree from the same university in 1999. Among the
awards he has received are the Akiyoshidai International Composition Prize
(1992), Darmstadter Kranichsteiner Musikpreis (1996), Second Prize at the
Japan Music Competition (1996), Akutagawa Composition Prize (1997), and
Encouragement Award of the Japan Choreographers' Society (1997). His music
has been accepted at the ISCM World Music Days (Copenhagen, 1996), and the
Asian Composers' League Conference and Festival (Yokohama, 2000). During
the Tokyo Summer Festivals of 1996 and 1999, his works were given an exclusive
showcase. Kawashima has received accolades and engendered the praise of
new music critics and enthusiasts with his unconventional style and use
of visual performance aspects. His entry to the 2003 Melbourne Festival,
Fight with Violin, contained instructions such as "rub violin
on top of head, end performance with an empty stage and a recording of a
classical piece." Kawashima keeps himself busy as a member of Ensemble
Contemporary a (alpha), librarian for the Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo, programming
advisor for the Izumi Sinfonietta Osaka, and organizer of various new music
events. He currently teaches at the Osaka College of Music. |
