Pianist Hisako Kawamura is set to perform at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, showcasing her love for rediscovering forgotten or undiscovered pieces of music. While Kawamura is known for her interpretations of well-known classical composers such as Beethoven, Brahms and Schumann, she is also incorporating works by lesser-known composers such as Rebecca Clarke, Akio Yashiro and Amy Beach in her upcoming concerts. Kawamura attributes this shift to the lockdown period, where she had the opportunity to re-evaluate her approach to programming and discovered a wealth of music by female composers, whom she feels have been unfairly overlooked. She insists that these are not just pieces by women, but fantastic compositions that deserve recognition. The upcoming concerts will feature a collaboration with the UK-based Doric Quartet, with whom Kawamura is excited to make music that paints pictures. One of the pieces they will perform is Clarke's 1921 Piano Trio, a visually suggestive and theatrical work that showcases the composer's deep understanding of stringed instruments.
Rebecca Clarke, who was born in England in 1886, was a celebrated composer and viola player during her lifetime. Her 1919 Viola Sonata is now considered a staple of the viola repertoire, and she also wrote extensively for various chamber ensembles. Kawamura praises Clarke's ability to understand and utilize the strengths of each instrument in her compositions.
Kawamura sees her upcoming concerts as a platform to showcase her vision for a musical culture that embraces diversity and multiple perspectives. She hopes that by actively incorporating lesser-known works by female composers and other underrepresented groups, she can inspire others to do the same.
As a recipient of the prestigious Suntory Music Award in 2020, which recognizes notable contributions to the development of Western-style music in Japan, Kawamura sees herself as having a responsibility to help shape the future of classical music. She aims to continue exploring and promoting lesser-known works by diverse composers, as well as collaborating with other talented musicians to create new and exciting musical experiences.
