profile

Biography

Shinichi Ueno is a multipercussionist and pioneer artist in the research and development of percussive art.

He is acclaimed for his unique combination of innate poetic expression and brilliant technique.

He started studying marimba and piano at age three. He graduated from Kunitachi College of Music Senior High School and Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo and was awarded the Takeoka Prize for placing first in the class of percussion majors. He continued his studies at the Strasbourg National Conservatory in France with Jean Batiqne (founder of Les Percussion de Strasbourg), Sylvio Gualda (concert percussionist and solo timpanist in the Orchestre de l'Ópera de Paris), and Jean-Pierre Drouet and with Christoph Caskel in Cologne, Germany.

Ueno was a percussionist in the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg from 1976 to 1978 and was principal percussionist and timpanist of the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse from 1978 to 1984. While with this orchestra, he was a soloist both in André Jolivet's Concerto pour Percussion et Orchestre, conducted by Michel Plasson, and in Paul Creston's Concertino for Marimba and Orchestra. In 1986 he performed Phu-Dong by N. T. Dao with the Brass Consort ‘86 conducted by Frederic Fennell. Ueno presented the Japanese premiere of the original version of Concerto for Marimba by Niel de Ponte with the Roots Wind Ensemble in April 1996 and the Japanese premiere of William Kraft's Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra with the Dresner Philharmonie, conducted by Michel Plasson, at Tokyo's Suntory Hall in 1997.

Ueno was awarded first prize at the "Concours Interregional des Conservatoires Nationaux de Region de France" in 1978, a special award at the "Concours International pour Interpretation de la Musique Contemporaine pour Percussion" in Paris in 1980, and third prize at the "Concours International d'Execution Musicale Maria Canals, Discipline Percussion Solo" in Barcelona in 1982.

Ueno is active as a soloist and is featured in recitals and in performances on Japan's NHK Radio and France Musique. Renowned for his commitment to contemporary music, Ueno has presented the Japanese and world premieres of works by, among others, Phillippe Boivin, N.T. Dao, Maki Ishii, William Kraft, Isao Matsushita, Akira Nishimura, Kaija Saariaho, Takehito Shimazu, Yoshihisa Taïra, Iannis Xenakis, and Joji Yuasa.

In 1988, Ueno was featured in the video "Live Performance by Images and Percussions," produced by Dominique Barbier (In a Franco-Japanese Exchange of artists in collaboration with the French Ministry of Cultural Affairs). Ueno's recent noteworthy performances include "Respiration I & II" by Jong Woo Yim and "Laughcry" by Takehito Shimazu (Japan premiere) at Asian Music Week 2000 in Yokohama, which was organized by the Asian Composers' League.

Ueno's interest in instructing and supporting young music students led him to organize The International Percussion Music Exchange Week in 1984, sponsored by the French Ministry of Cultural Affairs. He was also invited to work with the Saint-Céré Music Festival and the French International Percussion Academy as a clinician, and he has been a judge for both domestic and International competitions, such as the International Vibraphone Competition (1999, France). "PHONIX Réflexion," the percussion group Ueno founded with younger talents in 1988, is active with concerts, recordings, and video recordings.

Currently living in Tokyo, Ueno is on the faculty of Kunitachi College of Music. He enjoys helping young musicians to develop their musical skills and potential. Many of his students have won prizes in prestigious competitions both within and outside of Japan. He is a YAMAHA percussion player.