Japanese string quartet wins 3rd prize at int'l competition in Germany

MUNICH (Kyodo) -- A Japanese string quartet, Quartet Fugue, secured third place at the ARD International Music Competition, a renowned competition for emerging performing artists held in Munich, Germany. The ensemble, comprising violinists Mako Ochiai and Kentaro Konishi, violist Soichiro Kawabe, and cellist Soichiro Matsutani, all of whom studied at Tokyo University of the Arts, performed Beethoven's Op. 127 in E-flat major during the competition's final on Saturday.

Commenting on their achievement, Konishi, 25, expressed his joy at advancing to the final stage and performing the pieces they had meticulously prepared. Ochiai, 24 and originally from Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, expressed a desire to refine his musical skills and personality for future growth.

The competition, which saw participation from around 180 individuals representing about 30 nations, featured four disciplines, including organ, bassoon, and percussion. In the string category, Quartet Fugue claimed third place, with Berlin-based Viatores Quartet taking first place and North America's Katarina String Quartet sharing the third spot with Quartet Fugue.