Quartet Fugue is a Japanese string quartet formed in 2023 by four musicians born in 2001, comprising violinists Mako Ochiai and Kentaro Konishi, violist Soichiro Kawabe, and cellist Soichiro Matsutani.

Quartet Fugue has already received significant recognition in Japan. They won First Prize, the Beethoven Prize and the Yamaguchi Prefectural Governor’s Award (Grand Prix) at the 13th Akiyoshidai Music Competition, and also received First Prize and the Beethoven Homage Award at the 5th Munetsugu Hall String Quartet Competition. In 2026, they was further honored with the Baroque Saal Prize at the 35th Aoyama Music Prize.

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In Japan, Quartet Fugue has appeared at major chamber music venues and series including Chamber Music Garden at Suntory Hall, the Salvia Hall Quartet Series, and Prof. Nobuko Yamazaki’s production “Chamber Music Connecting to the Future” at Philia Hall.

Internationally, the quartet was awarded full scholarships to participate in Clive Greensmith’s class at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana Summer Academy in both 2024 and 2025. They gave a highly acclaimed recital at the 31st String Quartet Festival held at San Pietro Church in Gropina, Italy, and have continued to expand their international presence through participation in the International Music Festival in Goslar-Harz (Germany) and Guadix Clásica (Spain).

The quartet has received grants from the Matsuo Academic Foundation (2024 and 2025) and joined in Project Q (Chapters 22 and 23). They are currently Fellows of the 8th Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy. They are currently studying under former members of the Tokyo String Quartet—Prof. Koichiro Harada, Prof. Kikuei Ikeda, and Prof. Kazuhide Isomura— as well as with Prof. Nobuko Yamazaki.

The name “Fugue” derives from the contrapuntal musical form in which a theme is imitated and developed through dialogue. In Japanese, “Fugue” (風雅) conveys refinement and artistic elegance. The name reflects the quartet’s aspiration to grow together while honoring musical essence and tradition, continuously evolving and expanding their artistic activities both in Japan and internationally.