KEN KUNITA
Ken Kunita
Born in Hyogo, Japan; based in the Netherlands.
Ken Kunita graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Bass Clarinet from Codarts (Rotterdam Conservatory) in 2016. He continued his studies at Codarts, earning a Master’s degree in Clarinet in 2020.
He has performed at leading festivals and institutions, including the Dutch National Opera and Gaudeamus International Music Week. As an orchestral musician, he has collaborated with ensembles such as the Netherlands National Youth Orchestra (NJO), Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, and Mannheim Philharmonic Orchestra.
Highlights include his appearance at the 30th Gergiev Festival with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra under Valery Gergiev, performing excerpts from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde and Ride of the Valkyries, as well as participating in the world premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s oratorio.
In addition to his performanc carrer, he joined joined Muse Press LLC in 2018, contributing to publication of rare historical works and contemporary compositions. Since 2020 he has been a member of Batavierhuis, an initiative by the cultural foundation Droom en Daad.
Alongside his musical activities, Ken holds a Master of Business Administration and has been active in IT and operational project management within tech scale-up companies since 2021, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective that bridges the arts and technology.
Discography
IN HONOUR OF HORÁK
It was Czech bass clarinettist Josef Horák (1931-2005) who brought recognition to the bass clarinet as a solo instrument. On 24 March 1955 he gave the world's first bass clarinet recital, and with his free style of playing, he revolutionized people's perception of the bass clarinet. This album pays tribute to his pioneering efforts to explore the possibilities of the bass clarinet and aims to raise awareness of lesser-known bass clarinet works.
Bass Clarinet: Ken Kunita
Piano: Alfonso González
Published by Muse Press LLC,
Het Batavierhuis is an independent makerspace and incubator for entrepreneurial artists with the aim of further developing Rotterdam's talent and enriching the cultural (music) life of Rotterdam.
Batavierhuis shows that Rotterdam takes its artists seriously and is willing to invest in talent by offering the most favourable conditions possible. There is room to experiment and inspire, there is freedom and autonomy. We have the Rotterdam mentality and are as diverse as the city itself.
Muse Press LLC is a unique Janaese publishing house publishing rarely available historical works as well as works by current composer-pianists. Its unique approach and high-quality scores are highly regarded by the media and music-related organizations in Japan and abroad.
Ken joined the company in 2018 when the publishing house was founded and works remotely with the two founders in Japan.
