THE 9TH INTERNATIONAL OBOE COMPETITION OF KARUIZAWA,JAPAN 2009

Considering the current state of the music world in Japan, it is truly gratifying to note that the number of music lovers has drastically increased, leading Japan to become one of the most prominent music markets in the world. Moreover, it is encouraging to see many of our musicians active on the international stage and achieving remarkable results in a variety of competitions.

However, the focus of most international competitions has been limited to piano, violin and vocal performances. Although wind instruments have been featured in competitions recently, there are only a few full-scale competitions that focus solely on the oboe.

I consider the oboe a very important instrument that can determine the quality of an entire orchestra. It was in 1954, while I was studying in Germany, that I became very aware of the importance of this instrument in a rather electrifying manner. Up until then, in Japan, the oboe tended to be in the shadow of other instruments, with its true value left unnoticed. Half a century later, the Oboe has still not yet been justly recognized, despite its essential role in an orchestra and the unfathomable possibilities as both a solo and an ensemble instrument.

Sony Music Foundation has been hosting this Competition every three years since its inception in 1985 to promote the innate value of the oboe, with its innocent and comforting sound, and to introduce talented oboists to the world. This year marks the 9th Competition, and each time we have more and more prominent musicians participating.

From the 8th Competition, we moved its venue to the Karuizawa Ohga Hall located in the town of Karuizawa, one of the finest resorts in Japan. It is our wish to welcome excellent musicians from all over the world to this hall and to transmit the music out to the rest of the world from Karuizawa. Finally, we would like to thank all of you for your kind understanding, support and cooperation toward the goal of our foundation: “to contribute to international exchange through music and promotion of musical culture.”