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(CPV) – A music concert titled “Aki & Kuniko – A Guitar & Koto Duo” by the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, in cooperation with the Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City took place last night at the Vietnam National Academy of Music.
Formed in 2002, Aki & Kuniko have delivered their unique sound all over Japan and around the globe, from Europe to the United States, including on the main stage of Open Strings, the world’s largest acoustic music festival held in Germany.
They have released two albums, “HA – Aki & Kuniko” in 2003 on the German label Acoustic Music Records and “Over the Top”, back in 2006.
Acclaimed by music critics, they have described as “creating an innovative musical partnership” and to have “original, genre defying work.” Listening to how AKI & KUNIKO skillfully blend the notes from their two string instruments, seamlessly going from forceful to delicate to melodic, one can understand all the positive reviews.
In their first-ever tour of Vietnam, Aki & Kuniko delivered a performance at the Youth Cultural Palace, 4 Pham Ngoc Thach, 1st District, HCMC in the “Japan Day” event, followed by two concerts in Hanoi at the Vietnam National Academy of Music.
Aki (acoustic guitar) graduated from the Department of Cinema, College of Art, Nihon University, Japan. Won recognition from Peter Finger, a legendary acoustic guitarist of Germany, Aki started his career living in Paris and recording in Europe in 1998.
On his return to to Japan, he actively produced a series of albums. His super techniques and artistic quality are peerless indeed. In 2009, his song “How I Feel Now” was ranked as the number one song in the Jazz section on MP3.com in the US. He currently serves as General Producer of the acoustic music label Harvest Moon Records.
Kuniko (koto/Japanese harp) earned a master’s degree in traditional Japanese music at Graduate School of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts. Graduated from the 37th class of NHK Hogaku (Japanese traditional music) Training Program for aspiring to be professional performers./.
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