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Rakuto Kurano is an award-winning Japanese/New Zealand performer-composer.

This concert will consist entirely of his works.

The programme features many of his most popular works: Fantail in Tokyo, SNOW for Violin Quartet, Blooming, Violin Sonata No.1, plus many new works.

Rakuto Kurano | Biography

Described as a musician with “flair and panache” by the Christchurch Mail, Rakuto Kurano has established himself as a young versatile Japanese/New Zealand performer, composer, director, and educator.

An extremely versatile multi-instrumentalist; he has performed around New Zealand on violin, viola, baroque violin, baroque viola, piano, keyboard, harpsichord, percussion, and musical saw.

He made his composer debut in 2016 with his composition Angelic Glow – which was selected as a winning work in the NZ Harp Duo composition competition. In 2019, his piece Fantail in Tokyo was selected as a winning work in the NZTrio composition competition, and premiered by the NZTrio in Auckland.

In January 2021, he was commissioned by the Baroque Music Community and Educational Trust of New Zealand to compose Concerto Grosso, a baroque-style work for three soloists, string ensemble, and harpsichord. It was deemed a “splendid work” by Peter Mechen for Middle-C, in review of its Wellington performance. In 2023, Concerto Grosso was performed by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra with himself featuring as soloist.

Orchestral experiences include joining the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra at the age of 18, performing with NZ Opera, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Hawke's Bay Orchestra, and the Secret Sinfonia. Musical Theatre credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago, and Next to Normal; the latter with The Court Theatre - New Zealand’s largest theatre company.

As a recording artist, he has recorded and released many of his own works, but has also performed in recordings for other artists, including UK singers Aled Jones and Russell Watson with the BMG label (UK).

He studied piano with the late Rosemary Stott QSM and was awarded an Licentiate of Trinity College London in 2017. In 2023, he graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Master of Music degree, studying with Professor Mark Menzies.

He is Artist-in-Residence at the Aspiring Lifestyle Village in Wānaka, and also serves as Artistic Director of the Magic Carpet Music Trust; a charitable trust he co-founded with music patron Lyn Milne MNZM.

Musicians

Rakuto Kurano - Conductor/Violin/Viola/Piano/Musical Saw

Henry Nicholson - Violin/Viola

Justin Hodges - Violin

Aya McLarty - Violin

Ingrid Kosaka - Cello

Gabriel Baird - Piano/Bassoon

Ashleigh Min - Flute

H Bloomer-Law - Clarinet

Tor Chiles - Bassoon

Ciaran Wright - Marimba

Supporters

Aspiring Lifestyle Village

University of Canterbury School of Music

InterCity Bus - Entrada Travel Group

SOUNZ