Ishida-gumi
Biography Ishida-gumi
Ishida-gumi
The string ensemble was formed in 2014 at the initiative of violinist Yasunari Ishida. Adopting a style where performances feature various configurations depending on the programme, members are primarily drawn from leading orchestral musicians active in the Tokyo metropolitan area whom “Chief Ishida” holds in high regard. “Members” are assembled for each performance. Their repertoire spans from Baroque music to film scores and progressive rock. Their performance style, forging new ground by weaving together diverse musical styles, has garnered attention across the industry as pioneering work in the world of string ensembles. Their activities extend beyond solo concerts to include cross-genre collaborations with artists such as SUGIZO and Suzuki Airi, as well as educational programmes led by the group members themselves. Featured on NHK-FM's ‘Best of Classical’ and NHK BS Premium's ‘Classic Club’ in 2018, their passionate stage performances garnered significant acclaim. This led to a special feature on NHK E-TV's ‘La La La♪ Classic’ in 2019. In 2021, they were ranked 4th (the highest position for a Japanese group) in the ‘Your Favourite Chamber Music Group’ category of Ongaku no Tomo magazine's triennial Classical Music Top Ten. In 2023, they undertook a 30-concert tour to commemorate their album release. Celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2024, they are scheduled to perform at the Nippon Budokan on 10th November. Their latest album, “Ishida-gumi 10th Anniversary Commemorative 2024・Spring”, was released in April 2024.
