Aki & Kuniko – A Guitar & Koto Duo

HCMC: Sun 08 Jul 2012, 8.30 pm
Youth Cultural Palace

HANOI: 09 and 10 Jul 2012, 8 pm
Vietnam National Academy of Music

From The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam:

The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, in cooperation with the Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, proudly presents music concerts by “AKI & KUNIKO” on Sunday 8 July in Ho Chi Minh City and on Monday 9 & Tuesday 10 July in Hanoi.

Formed back in 2002, AKI & KUNIKO has brought their unique world sound all over Japan and around the globe, from Europe to the United States, including on the main stage of Open Strings, the world’s largest acoustic music festival held in Germany.
They have released two albums, HA – AKI & KUNIKO in 2003 on the German label Acoustic Music Records and Over the Top, back in 2006.

Acclaimed by music critics, they have described to “create an innovative musical partnership” and to have “original, genre defying work.” Listening to how AKI & KUNIKO skillfully blend the notes from their two string instruments, seamlessly going from forceful to delicate to melodic, one can understand all the positive reviews.

In their first-ever tour in Vietnam, AKI & KUNIKO will conduct a performance at Youth Cultural Palace, 4 Pham Ngoc Thanh, 1^st District, HCMC to participate in the “Japan Day” event, followed by two concerts in Hanoi at Vietnam National Academy of Music.

About artists

AKI (acoustic guitar)

Graduated from the Department of Cinema, College of Art, Nihon University, Japan. Won recognition from Peter Finger, a legendary acoustic guitarist of Germany, AKI started his career with lives in Paris, recordings in Europe in 1998. After coming back to Japan, he actively produced a series of albums. His super techniques and artistic quality are peerless indeed. In 2009, his song “How I Feel Now” was ranked as the number one song in the Jazz section on MP3.com in the US. He currently serves as General Producer of the acoustic music label Harvest Moon Record.

KUNIKO (koto / Japanese harp)

Earned a master’s degree in traditional Japanese music at Graduate School of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts. Graduated from the 37^th class of NHK Hogaku (Japanese traditional music) Training Program for aspiring to be professional performers. Passed the NHK Hogaku audition. KUNIKO has given recitals since 1990, often invited to concerts overseas. She has also appeared in several TV programs on NHK. She serves as a lecturer at training class for music teachers conducted by Shimane Prefectural Board of Education. Grand Master of Miyagi-sha (Miyagi Koto School).

Ticket

HCMC: Free admission

Hanoi: Free tickets can be collected from Fri 22 Jun, 2 pm at:

The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam
27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (TEL 04-3944-7419)
[Opening hours] 09:00 – 18:00, Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays