Quartet Fugue is a Japanese string quartet founded in 2023 at the Tokyo University of the Arts, comprising violinists Mako Ochiai and Kentaro Konishi, violist Soichiro Kawabe, and cellist Soichiro Matsutani. After completing their initial chamber-music studies in Tokyo, the quartet moved to Europe to further develop their artistic identity. They are currently based in Hannover, Germany, where they study with Prof. Oliver Wille at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover (HMTMH).

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Since its formation, Quartet Fugue has established itself as one of Japan’s promising young chamber ensembles. In 2026, the quartet was awarded Third Prize at the 75th ARD International Music Competition, and Second Prize and the Bordeaux String Quartet Festival Award at the 12th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. Their competition successes in Japan include First Prize at the 13th Akiyoshidai Music Competition in 2024, where they also received the Beethoven Prize and the Grand Prix (Governor of Yamaguchi Prize). In 2025, they won First Prize and the Beethoven Prize at the 5th Munetsugu Hall String Quartet Competition and received the Aoyama Music Award (Baroque Saal Prize).

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Founded during their studies at the Tokyo University of the Arts, Quartet Fugue received early artistic guidance from leading Japanese string-quartet musicians, including members of the Tokyo String Quartet—Koichiro Harada, Kikuei Ikeda, Kazuhide Isomura, and Clive Greensmith—as well as Kazuki Sawa and Nobuko Yamazaki. They further broadened their musical perspective through masterclasses with Nobuko Imai and Cibrán Sierra Vázquez.

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Following their studies in Japan, the quartet continued its development internationally through programmes including the Accademia Musicale Chigiana Summer Academy in Siena, where they participated on a full scholarship, and the International Musical Artistry Goslar.

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Quartet Fugue has performed at international festivals and concert series including the 31st Festival del Quartetto d’Archi in Pieve di Gropina in Italy, the International Music Festival in Goslar-Harz in Germany, and Guadix Clásica in Spain. In Japan, they have appeared in leading chamber-music series such as Chamber Music Garden at Suntory Hall, the Salvia Hall Quartet Series, and “Chamber Music for the Future” at Philia Hall. They were also the Fellows of the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy from 2024 to 2026.  The quartet has been supported by the Matsuo Foundation since 2024.

　

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