HIROSHI IKEMATSU – Principal Contrabass, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra since 2006
The Brazilian-born Japanese Contrabassist HIROSHI IKEMATSU has gained his fame through a variety of music activities. He is uniquely talented and regarded as one of the leading contrabassists in Japan.
Ikematsu started to play the contrabass at the age of 19, learning under the instruction of Mr. Shunsaku Tsutsumi. During his university years at the TOHO Gakuen College, Ikematsu has been the regular participant of the prominent contrabass workshop and festival by Gary Karr, the world’s leading solo bassist and teacher based in Canada.
In 1989, Ikematsu joined the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo, appointed as the Principal Contrabassist since 1994. Ikematsu was performing not only as a soloist, he was leading a string ensemble “Vega” which regularly performs at their annual concert, as well as his founded contrabass ensemble. In addition to the chamber music activities involved at “Kioi Symfonietta” and “Tokyo Ensemble”, Ikematsu was also the core member in a group called “Pleiade Quintet”, which has been well known for its performance of contemporary music and released the album from BMG.
Since his first solo recital in Casals Hall in 1999, Ikematsu has established a strong name as a great solo contrabassist in Japan. He has played with numerous distinguished musicians, and released solo CDs nationwide successfully. His unique concert with the combination of solo performance and contrabass ensemble has received highly success. Ikematsu was also teaching at KUNITACHI College of Music as well as the Toho Gakuen College in Tokyo.
Ikematsu immigrated to New Zealand with the family by joining NZSO officially as the Principal Contrabassist since April, 2006. As well as an enthusiastic trout fishing, camping and soccer goer, Ikematsu also enjoys spending time with his two kids at leisure, with such reasons, no wonder why he moved to NZ claimed as one of his dreamed countries!