Credits:

Junchika Arimura

Description:

The duo Junchika Arimura (saxophone) and Masa Matsuura (piano) was formed after performing together at the Saxiana International Saxophone Competition. On this debut album, the duo tackles an ambitious and unique repertoire that includes some of Matsuura's own compositions. Arimura's brilliant expressiveness and Matsuura's complete construction skills make the listener forget that this is a "saxophone + piano" duo, and suggest the infinite possibilities of their works. After graduating from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music with a master's degree in musicology, Arimura attended the Conservatoire National de Sergy-Pontoise in France, and then the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, where he received the highest unanimous score from the jury. He has won first prize at the Saxiana International Saxophone Competition and the Paris International Music Competition, and was a semi-finalist at the Munich International Music Competition. He is currently a member of the saxophone quartet Quatuor B, Saxophones, Knockout Brass, and Saxacor. Matsuura graduated from Toho Gakuen School of Music with a degree in performance (voice). He completed the Graduate School of Toho Gakuen School of Music (composition major) and the Ensemble Diploma Course (piano major) at the same university.Completed the piano accompaniment and chamber music courses at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris. Second prize in the Sogakudo Japanese Song Competition, and second prize in the Tokyo International Chamber Music Composition Competition (composition). He won a prize at the Japan Mozart Music Competition (piano). He has performed as an accompanist and ensemble pianist throughout Japan and Europe, including as an official accompanist at the Saxiana International Saxophone Competition and the Hamamatsu International Academy for Wind Instruments, and is also active as a composer, receiving numerous commissions. FONTEC