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Kenichi Furuya

Bassoon

Blood type BGemini

Age started playing the instrument
9 years old

Favorite part of the instrument
The ability to create a variety of faces by cooking in a variable manner, including rich bass, the original flavor of the ingredients (funny sounds), and the occasional glimpse of a superb melody.

Born in Osaka in 1994. Was raised in Chiba. Discovered the bassoon when he was nine. Won the Acanthus Music Prize as well as the Doseikai Award upon graduating from the Tokyo University of the Arts following graduation from Chiba Prefectural Makuhari Sogo High School. Entered the Zurich University of the Arts in Switzerland as a scholarship student of the country’s Federal Office of Culture following graduation from the Tokyo University of the Arts. Graduated the Zurich University of the Arts’ Soloist Course with unanimous full marks. Passed an audition by the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic and served as a member between 2019 and 2021 while studying in Switzerland. Participated as a member of the Berlin Philharmonic in performances that included the orchestra’s tour of Japan and its Silvester Concert. Also belongs to the Chamber Music Study Programme at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin as a member of the Pacific Quintet.
Won first prize in the Bassoon Category at the Muri Competition in Switzerland and second prize at the Prague Spring Competition, as well as second prize at the Carl Nielsen Chamber Music Competition and first prize at the Sound and Explanation Competition as a member of the Pacific Quintet, illustrating his brilliant record as both a soloist and a chamber music performer.