Identity Kenji Miura

• César Franck (1822 - 1890): Prélude, fugue et variation, Op. 18, FWV 30:
• 1 Franck: Prélude, fugue et variation, Op. 18, FWV 30 (Transcr. Bauer) 11:16
• Tōru Takemitsu (1930 - 1996): Romance:
• 2 Takemitsu: Romance 03:55
• Rain Tree Sketch II In memoriam Olivier Messiaen:
• 3 Takemitsu: Rain Tree Sketch II In memoriam Olivier Messiaen 04:06
• Maurice Ravel (1875 - 1937): Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61:
• 4 Ravel: Jeux d'eau, M. 30 05:48
• 5 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 1, Modéré et très franc 01:24
• 6 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 2, Assez lent, avec une expression intense 02:48
• 7 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 3, Modéré 01:24
• 8 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 4, Assez animé 01:17
• 9 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 5, Presque lent, dans un sentiment intime 01:24
• 10 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 6, Vif 00:45
• 11 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 7, Moins vif 02:54
• 12 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 8, Épilogue. Lent 04:53
• Claude Debussy (1862 - 1918): 6 Épigraphes antiques, CD 139, L. 131:
• 13 Debussy: 6 Épigraphes antiques, CD 139, L. 131: No. 1, Pour invoquer Pan, dieu du vent d'été 02:32
• 14 Debussy: 6 Épigraphes antiques, CD 139, L. 131: No. 2, Pour un tombeau sans nom 03:19
• 15 Debussy: 6 Épigraphes antiques, CD 139, L. 131: No. 3, Pour que la nuit soit propice 02:33
• 16 Debussy: 6 Épigraphes antiques, CD 139, L. 131: No. 4, Pour la danseuse aux crotales 02:43
• 17 Debussy: 6 Épigraphes antiques, CD 139, L. 131: No. 5, Pour l'Égyptienne 02:59
• 18 Debussy: 6 Épigraphes antiques, CD 139, L. 131: No. 6, Pour remercier la pluie au matin 02:29
• L'Isle joyeuse, CD 109, L. 106:
• 19 Debussy: L'Isle joyeuse, CD 109, L. 106 05:59
• Benjamin Godard (1849 - 1895): Mazurka No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 54:
• 20 Godard: Mazurka No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 54 03:37
• Total Runtime 01:08:05

Info for Identity

The Japanese-born pianist Kenji Miura, winner of the 2019 Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition in Paris, ponders on the issue of identity, combining music of the French school with two pieces by Toru Takemitsu, a Japanese composer strongly influenced by French composers and by the Second Viennese School. The main works on the album are Franck’s Prélude, Fugue et Variation, Ravel’s Valses nobles et sentimentales and Debussy’s Six épigraphes antiques. Born in Kobe in 1993, Kenji Miura studied in the UK and in Berlin, where he is now based. “This album is a reflection of my own personal struggle with identity,” he writes. “We live in an increasingly multi-ethnic and multicultural society – my torn-between-worlds feeling is shared by many around the world. This is my small musical letter to all those struggling with the many aspects of identity – a concept that should help us embrace who we are and our complicated, beautiful lives.”

Kenji Miura, piano

Kenji Miura
As the winner of the Grand Prix and three further Special Prizes at the legendary Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition 2019 where Martha Argerich served as President of the jury, Kenji Miura has emerged as a new type of Artist known for his sensibility and artistry. Other notable prizes include Gold Medal with Distinction at the 4th Manhattan International Music Competition, 1st Prize at International Shigeru Kawai Piano Competition 2017, 1st Prize at the Berlin Steinway Competition 2017, Outstanding Diploma and Alink-Argerich-Foundation Award at the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition 2015.

Born in Kobe, Japan in 1993, he began playing the piano at the age of 4 at his own will. He went on to study at the Purcell School of Music in London where he received a scholarship funded by the UK Government’s Music and Dance Scheme, and studied the piano with Roshan Magub and William Fong. In 2011 the Royal Academy of Music in London, University of Arts in Berlin and the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia accepted him as a student, whereupon he decided to continue his studies under the guidance of Klaus Hellwig in Berlin. In the summer of 2012, he left the music world and spent over a year working in Japan. In his spare time he volunteered to work with children in need. In April 2014, he made his return to the piano and since studies at Hochschule für Musik “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin under the tutelage of Eldar Nebolsin. Other musical figures that guided him during his studies include Charles Rosen, Dimitri Alexeev, Pascal Devoyon, Laurent Boullet, Peter Nagy and Claudio Martinez Mehner.

His many invitations around the world include Wigmore Hall in London, Philharmonie and Konzerthaus in Berlin, Radio France Auditorium in Paris, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room at the Southbank Centre in London.

Past and upcoming engagements include appearances with Orchestre National de France, Moscow Virtuosi, New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra under renowned conductors such as Vladimir Spivakov, Hubert Soudant, Jesko Sirvend, Kahchun Wong and Junichi Hirokami. Appearances at major festivals including Klavierfestival Ruhr, International Keyboard Festival in New York, Festival Chopin de Lyon, Festival International de Musique Dinard, Vilnius Piano Festival, Chopin Festival in Tokyo and Argerich’s Meeting Point in Beppu by Argerich Arts Foundation.

This album contains no booklet.