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Binghamton Philharmonic Presents Free Marimba Concert
Makoto Nakura performs music of Villa-Lobos, Bach,
Bartok and Sanchez-Gutierrez
Concert Hosted by Composer-in-Residence
On Sunday, March 2, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. in the
Anderson Center Chamber Hall at Binghamton University, the
Binghamton Philharmonic continues its new series of free
chamber music concerts, called South of the Border: Explorations,
examining the diverse world of contemporary classical music. The
concerts are hosted by the Binghamton Philharmonic's composer-in-residence
Carlos Sánchez-Gutiérrez. The March 2 concert
features a performance by marimbist Makoto Nakura of music
by Heitor Villa-Lobos (Etudes and Preludes),
Moto Osada (Sylvan Lay and Pastoral Air),
Akemi Naito (Memory of the Woods), Carlos
Sánchez-Gutiérrez (Wink/Te') J. S. Bach
(Sonata in G minor), Bela Bartok (Fugue)
and Kenji Bunch (Triple Jump).
Admission to this concert is free and seating is by general admission. Call
607-723-3931 for further information or visit
www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org. Advance reservations are not
necessary. This concert is co-sponsored by the Binghamton
University Music Department.
The South of the Border: Explorations series is
made possible by a grant from The New York State Music Fund, established by
the New York State Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
This performance is also made possible with public funds from the New York
State Council on the Arts, a state agency. General Operating Support
is provided to the Binghamton Philharmonic by a grant from the United
Cultural Fund, a program of the Broome County Arts Council.
***
Makoto Nakura
Marimbist Makoto Nakura is a musician whose artistry and astonishing
virtuosity has been mesmerizing audiences all over the world.
In 1994, Makoto came from his native Japan to become the first marimbist
to win a place on the prestigious Young Concert Artists roster. He has
performed for audiences in 40 of the 50 states, with orchestras such as the
New York Chamber Symphony, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the California Symphony
and, as a recital soloist, his long list of appearances includes Carnegie's
Weill Recital Hall, New York's 92nd Street Y, Washington's Kennedy Center,
Seoul's Hoam Art Hall and Tokyo's Suntory Hall. He has performed numerous
times with the American Ballet Theater in New York City, and he has also
appeared as a guest artist with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Mr. Nakura has established himself as a dedicated champion of the music
of our time, and many leading young composers, including the composers on
his three CDs have written pieces for him. It is his mission to explore and
expand the possibilities of the marimba, and to demonstrate what an exciting
and provocative vehicle it offers to composers and what a thrilling
experience it presents for audiences.
Born in Kobe, Japan, Mr. Nakura began to play the marimba at the age of
eight. He earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Musashino College
in Tokyo and continued his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
A television portrait of Mr. Nakura was shown nationally on CBS News
Sunday Morning. His recitals have been widely televised by KBS(Korea) and
NHK(Japan), as well as many radio stations.
His recent honors include a National Arts Festival New Artist Award from
the Japanese Agency of Cultural Affairs and the BMI/Carlos Surinach Fund
Marimba Commission. He was named an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music
in London. His first CD from Kleos Classics Ritual Protocol and his second
CD, Tsuneya Tanabe Works for Marimba on Japan's ALM Records, are devoted to
works written especially for him. His latest CD from Kleos, "Triple Jump:
Six Original Pieces for Marimba" was released in November 2004.