2014 | Akimi Fukuhara

Hashimoto Cultural Center in Wakayama, Japan

on December 14, 2014July 7, 2015 By akimi

After an intense but wonderful week in Ecuador, I flew to Japan, and visited Wakayama and Tokyo. I had a great time performing solo recitals to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Hashimoto International Friendship Foundation and the Hashimoto branch of UNESCO, and the 140th Anniversary of Ginza Jujiya.

I was honored to have Mr. Mikio Ozawa, the younger brother of Maestro Seiji Ozawa, as a special guest at the concert in Tokyo’s Ginza Jujiya Hall. Mr. Mikio Ozawa’s warm presence on stage immediately brought the audience closer to us. We enjoyed his interesting and fun anecdotes in between pieces. Ginza Jujiya is one of the first music shops to begin importing Western Instruments into Japan during the Meiji era.

Hashimoto city is located at the base of Mount Koya, which is the home of the most sacred site in Shingon Buddhism. I was enchanted by the serene beauty of “Ko-Yo” (color of changing leaves) in Wakayama, particularly after experiencing the dramatic South American landscape.

I also participated in a CHANEL Pygmalion Days chamber music concert led by Maestro Heiichiro Ohyama. It has been a very exciting month for me!

With Mr. Mikio Ozawa at the Ginza Jujiya

Ecuador

on November 24, 2014July 9, 2015 By akimi

I was in Ecuador earlier this month with cellist Christine Walevska.
Ecuador is one of the few countries where Christine has not
concertized yet among all South American countries – the other being
Bolivia. For me, it was the first time to be in South America.

Christine and I performed a concert for the benefit of the country’s
sick and poor children. The concert was held at the oldest colonial
church in the South America, and at the Museo Guayasamin.

Surrounded by the Andes mountains, Quito is 9,000 feet above sea level.
The dynamic cloud that touches the mountains, the thunder storm every
afternoon around 3PM, the crazy traffic of the narrow street in the
old town, colorfully dressed Indian woman selling goods on the street,
exotic fruits and birds in the Rainforest—everything I saw was new
to me and made a big impact.

The Church of the Society of Jesus, la Compañía, is the oldest colonial church in South America

Outside of the church - it is nearly impossible for my iPad camera to capture the magnificent church entirely — Outside of the church – my iPad camera could not entirely capture the magnificent church.

Covered with Inca's Gold — Covered with Inca’s Gold

Piano is moved with much care, with assistance of Mr. Luiz Verdugo’s son.

They had to remove the piano legs in order not to damage the sacred alter

I had the honer to perform on the piano by Luiz A. Verdugo, the only piano manufacturer in the South America.

What a joy it was to share music with these wonderful people! I learned some had to drive hours from Santo Domingo.

We also performed at the Children's Hospital — We also performed at the Children’s Hospital

We brought the keyboard for this occation — We brought the keyboard for this occasion

We also enjoyed watching traditional Ecuadorian dance

The children gave me flowers after the concert

The Japanese Ambassador Toru Kodaki has prepared Okayu (rice porridge) for my mountain sickness. How delicious, comforting, and almost moving to eat Japanese Okayu right on the equator, far from home. — The Japanese Ambassador Toru Kodaki prepared Okayu (rice porridge) for my mountain sickness. How delicious, comforting, and almost moving to eat Japanese Okayu right on the equator, far from home.

Arasha, the rainforest resort. Famous place for bird watching.

On November 2nd, they eat this "guagua" — On November 2nd, they eat the sweets called “guagua”

Christine Walevska 2014 Taiwan tour

on September 25, 2014July 11, 2015 By akimi

I had a wonderful week spending the last bit of summer in Taiwan with cellist Christine Walevska. It was our second tour in Taiwan. We performed at the National Concert Hall in Taipei, Kaoshiung Music Hall, and also the Tainan University of Technology.

Taiwan is such a beautiful country. Meeting wonderful people, seeing their culture left me in awe with many beautiful memories.

Inside the National Concert Hall. The ceiling is filled with gorgeous Swarovski.

Christine talks about her amazing stories as a Phillips' recording artist. — Christine talks about her amazing experiences and anecdotes as a Phillips’ recording artist.

Beautiful program — Gorgeous program they made for Christine

When I saw these two pages they made for me, I was filled with gratitude for their generosity

Illustration by a talented graphic designer Mei-Xing from Tainan University of Technology

“L’enfant de la musique” Now on NAXOS Music Library

on May 9, 2014July 11, 2015 By akimi

I am happy that my old solo album from PLATZ label Japan “L’enfant de la musique” is now available on Naxos Music Library.

This is a live recording of my debut recital at Asahi-Hamarikyu Hall in Tokyo when I was 14 years old. The program includes Bach’s Partita No.1, Mozart’s Sonata in F major, Chopin’s Mazurkas and Ballade No.3, Schumann’s Papillons, Liszt’s Transcendental Études No.10 and etc.

This album is the crystallization of the earlier years of my life and adventurous musical journey, and it has a special place in my heart. I am thrilled that it is now available for streaming anywhere in the world.

Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra in May 2014

on April 29, 2014July 12, 2015 By akimi

I missed the opportunity to see the Sakura blossoms in Japan this year, but this month has brought so many blessings to me with the chamber music and concerto performances. Thank you so much for joining me at the concerts in the Bay Area.

This weekend, I performed Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with the Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra in Portola Valley and Los Altos. It was my second time performing with the MSCO, and I was honored to be part of the last program of their season. I love performing with the orchestra, and the morning after the concert I woke up with the music still ringing in my ears. I am truly thankful to the Maestro David Ramadanoff and the MSCO musicians for this great experience.

Chancellor’s Series at UCSF and Chamber Music Sundaes in Berkeley

on April 8, 2014April 8, 2014 By akimi

I hope you are enjoying the spring!

I am performing Schumann’s Piano Trio No.3, Op. 110 with violinist Yuna Lee and cellist Sébastien Gingras of the San Francisco Symphony at the The Chancellor’s Concert Series at UCSF on Thursday, April 10th. This program will be repeated on Sunday, April 20th, at t he Chamber Music Sundaes at Crowden School in Berkeley.

The trio No.3 is the last of the three trios Schumann wrote. It was composed in 1851, when Schumann was 41 years old. A hauntingly beautiful and introverted composition, it inspires me to learn more about Schumann’s late works and his life during those difficult and unhappy years.

The Chancellor’s Concert Series will be streamed live. So for those of you who cannot attend the concert in person, please check the UCSF website here!