Empyrean Ensemble
Sam Nichols, director • Matilda Hofman, resident conductor

featuring Kakizakai Kaoru 柿堺 香, shakuhachi (artist in residence)

Musicians Playing
TBA, violin
Ellen Ruth Rose, viola
TBA, cello
TBA, double bass
Chris Froh, percussion*
   *core member

Program

TBA

Free

About Kakizakai

Kaoru Kakizakai is a shakuhachi master trained under the renowned Yokoyama Katsuya and a lead instructor at the Kokusai Shakuhachi Kenshukan, the international school dedicated to this traditional Japanese instrument. He teaches at the Tokyo College of Music and is a regular guest instructor at major international events such as the Rockies Shakuhachi Summer Camp (USA), the World Shakuhachi Festival, and the summer schools of the European Shakuhachi Society.

A specialist in honkyoku repertoire — music rooted in the meditative practices of early zen monks — Kakizakai is a global reference for performing works featuring shakuhachi by the composer Tōru Takemitsu, both in chamber and symphonic settings. He has performed across Asia, Europe, North America and South America.

His discography includes the Koten Shakuhachi trilogy (I, II, and III), an album dedicated to the music of Fukuda Rando, the contemporary trio Fudō, and a recording of works by Catalan composer Ramon Humet (Homenatge a Martha Graham).