Japanese Literary Awards

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Nobuko Imai

いまい のぶこ

Imai Nobuko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1943-03-18 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokyo, Japan → United States (residence/studies) → Germany (Detmold) → Switzerland (Geneva, Sion, etc.) → Netherlands (Amsterdam)

Career

Occupations
violist, performer, educator, professor
Active Years
1964-
Affiliations
Vermeer Quartet (former member), Mito Chamber Orchestra (member), Detmold University of Music (professor, 1983–2003), Geneva Conservatory (professor), Amsterdam Conservatory (professor), Northern Illinois University (assistant professor, formerly)
Memberships
Member of the Japan Art Academy
Influenced By
Hideo Saito, Walter Trampler, Seiji Ozawa (influence in early career)

Education

Toho Gakuen School of Music
Faculty of Music / Chamber Music
Period: 在学期間不詳
Country: Japan
Studied chamber music under Hideo Saito
Yale University (graduate studies)
Graduate School (Music)
Period: 1965 入学
Country: United States
Entered graduate school in 1965
The Juilliard School
Music Division / Viola Department
Period: 1966 年頃在籍
Country: United States
Studied viola with Walter Trampler

Awards

West German Music Award
1970
Result: 受賞
Avon Woman of the Arts Award
1993
Organization: Avon
Result: 受賞
Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Award (Minister of Education)
1993
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
Result: 受賞
Kyoto Music Award
1994
Result: 受賞
Mobil Music Award
1995
Result: 受賞
Mainichi Arts Award
1996
Organization: Mainichi Newspapers
Result: 受賞
Suntory Music Award
1996
Organization: Suntory
Result: 受賞
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
2013
Organization: Cabinet Office (decoration)
Result: 受章
Asahi Prize
2024
Organization: Asahi Shimbun
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Art Encouragement Prize for Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 2 appearances
  1. Edition 44 (1994) 受賞
    Work: ヴィオラスペース1993

    ヴィオラスペース1993 is a work by 今井信子. It was recognized in the 1994 cycle of art-encouragement-award; the entry summarizes the work based on confirmed publication traces.

    ヴィオラスペース1993 reflects the qualities in 今井信子's writing that drew award attention.

    award-winning work1994literature
  2. Edition 44 (1994) 受賞
    Work: ヴィオラスペース1993ほか

    ヴィオラスペース1993ほか is an honored artistic work or activity associated with 今井信子. No standalone book or paperback publication could be confirmed, so it is best understood as a performance, exhibition, or related artistic achievement.

    ヴィオラスペース1993ほか is the work by 今井信子 recognized by the award.

    arts awardcreative practiceperformance or exhibition

Works

Major Works

Longing: With the Viola

2007 Book (memoir/essays)

A memoir/essay collection detailing her career as a performer, her affection for the viola, pedagogy, and premieres of contemporary works.

viola performancemusic educationpremieres of contemporary musicmemoir

Bibliography

  • Longing: With the Viola (Shunjusha, 2007)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
conversational and accessible prose (in her writings)lyrical and expressive tone in performance
Recurring Motifs
exploration of the viola's timbre and possibilitiespremiering and promoting contemporary workseducation and mentoring of younger players

Legacy

An internationally active violist who significantly expanded the viola repertoire and trained younger players; known for extensive teaching and many premieres.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Art Academy

Trivia

  • Since 1988 she has performed on a 1690 Guarneri viola (Andrea Guarneri).
  • Since 1992 she has organized the 'Viola Space' festival in Tokyo to mentor younger players.
  • She has served as chair of the Tokyo International Viola Competition jury (from 2009) and is widely recognized for educational activity.
  • Awarded the Order of the Rising Sun (2013) and the Asahi Prize (2024).