Saturday 14th October 15:00
Naoko Imai
Ticket
Program
Präludium und Fuge a-Moll (J. S. Bach)
I worked as an assistant organist at the ICU chapel for a total of 13 years before and after my studies abroad. It was during this time that I had a chance to listen to the phonograph record of Brahms' Choral Prelude op.122 by Yuko Hayashi, which led me to choose this piece today. The tasteful piece became one of the familiar ones that I played during chapel hours and concerts and recalls my days in ICU. As for Handel's Concerto, I'll try to evoke the esprit of a baroque ensemble. Bach's Prelude and Fugue in A minor is a masterpiece with beautiful melodies and a strong passion.
(Photo: ⓒHikaru.☆)
Profile
Graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts and Staatliche Hochschüle für Musik, Freiburg, Germany (organ major in both universities), Ms. Imai won prizes at International Georg Böhm Organ Competition in Lüneburg (Germany) and J.S. Bach - C.P.E. Bach Competition at theVlaanderen Festival in Bruges (Belgium). In addition to her solo activities in Japan and Europe, she has earned the trust of her collaborators as an experienced performer of ensemble/basso continuo. Her solo CDs include Alamanda- S.Scheidt, Bach Dritter Teil der Klavierübung, 7 Organs in Sweden, and Singing Bach Chorales. As a founding member of the Bach Collegium Japan, she has participated in many performances and CD recordings in Japan and abroad, including the church cantata series. She is currently a professor of Tohoku Gakuin University (Center of Liberal Arts Education), the university organist and the Director of Institute of Sacred Music at the same university. She is the chief organist of Reinanzaka Church, a supervisor of the Japan Association of Organists and the president of Japan Organ Society. She also serves as a member of the board of trustees of Institute of Christian Music.