Tadayoshi Takeda

Tadayoshi Takeda graduated Kunitachi College of Music in 1975, then going on to study abroad at the Conservatory De Rouen to study diligently under maestro Jacques Lancelot, graduating with highest honors. In 1977, he won 1st place in the Paris Veran Music Competition, and in 1978 he won 1st place at the 47th Japan Music Competition. Then at the 35th Geneva International Music Competition, he won a bronze medal, becoming the first Japanese musician to place. He blossomed greatly and leapt onto the stage. He made a shining entrance to the musical world as that talent blossomed. His unrivaled, engaging, and unique style has quickly earned him a reputation as one of Japan's finest solo clarinetists, and cemented his position as a solo clarinetist in general. With a wide repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary music, his luscious musicality and virtuosity that transcends the possibilities of his instrument continue to captivate many people, and his increasingly sophisticated playing has already reached the point of maturity, making him very popular. In addition to nurturing many talented individuals in their education, in 2004, 2006, and 2009, at the invitation of Michel Arrignon, then professor at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, he was the first Asian clarinetist to give master classes at the Conservatoire. He has been invited to Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, and Spain, and in recent years has attracted much attention overseas as one of the few performers and educators capable of conveying the authentic French school of music. In 2011, he was invited to teach at the Chicago Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, known as the world's largest music conference, and is highly regarded both nationally and internationally as a wind band and orchestra instructor. In 2015, he was appointed President of the Kunitachi College of Music, where he is expected to give much attention to the future development of the musical education world. He is the president of Kunitachi College of Music and a specially appointed professor there. He is also a specialist instructor for Buffet Crampon Japan Co., Ltd.