Biography 略歴

(1951.11.23 - 2018.9.16)

MATSUSHITA Isao obtained both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Matsushita has participated in several music festivals, such as the "World Music Days of International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) Festival in Graz '82, in Hong Kong 1988, in Mexico 1993", "Horizonte Festival Berlin '85", "European Music Days Copenhagen '85", "Invention Festival Berlin '86" and so on.

　His composition, "TOKI-NO-ITO 1 (Threads of Time) for String Quartet" took first prize in the Moenchengladbach International Composition Competition in West Germany in 1985. In 1986, Matsushita gained the seventh annual Irino Prize with "TOKI-NO-ITO 2 (Threads of Time) for Piano and Orchestra." In 1994 his composition ”Hi-Ten-Yu” (Fly Heaven Play) for Japanese Drums and octet was premiered by Berlin Philharmonic Scharoun Ensemble, then it was rewritten by himself as the Concerto for Japanese Drums and Orchestra in 1996, since then it has been performed all over the world. In 2000 it was performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kent Nagano. His Opera "Shinano-no-Kuni, Zenkoji-Story" was premiered as cultural Program of Winter Olympic Game 1998 in Nagano.In 1999 “ Fujito” for Noh and Strings Quartet was premiered inTokyoOn the same year he produced the concerts of “Asian Arts Festival” presented by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan.
　He had lecture at the several University, such as UC Berkeley, Hamilton,Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Seoul, Central Conservator Beijing and so on.
　In May 2000, on the tour to Germany of Bunkyo-Civic Orchestra, his work “Tsugaru-Shamisen Concerto” was premiered by his own conducting, highly estimated. Also Shomyo Oratorio “Tenjiku Shokei” for shomyo, narrator, children choir and orchestra was premiered in Okaya, Japan.
　He has lead 3 big festivals such as “Asian Music Week 2000 in Yokohama” and “Nagano Music Festival 2000” and “Asian Music Festival 2003 in Tokyo” as the Executive Chairman and the Music Director to the great success.
　His activities range from composing, conducting to producing.
He is vice president of Tokyo University of the Arts, Professor of Performing Arts Center and President of the Japan federation of Composers (JFC).
And also he is Music, Music Director of Camerata Nagano and Bunkyo-Civic Orchestra, the representative of Ensemble Kochi (East Wind).
CD such as “Kochi” “Hi Ten Yu” and “Dream” are released from Fontec.
His many compositions published by Ongaku-no-Tomo Edition, Zen-on Edition, Kawai Edition, Mother-Earth Edition and hustle Copy.