Quartet Fugue – ARD INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION

2026: 3rd prize

String quartet

Quartet Fugue is a Japanese string quartet founded in 2023 at the Tokyo University of the Arts, consisting of violinist Mako Ochiai, violinist Kentaro Konishi, violist Soichiro Kawabe, and cellist Soichiro Matsutani. The ensemble is currently studying with Prof. Oliver Wille at the University of Music, Drama and Media in Hanover. Their former mentors include members of the Tokyo String Quartet, as well as Kazuki Sawa and Nobuko Yamazaki. They have also taken master classes with Prof. Nobuko Imai and Prof. Cibrán Sierra Vázquez.

In May 2026, the quartet won Second Prize and the Bordeaux String Quartet Festival Award at the 12th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. It is also a multiple prize winner at major music competitions in Japan, including First Prize at the 13th Akiyoshidai Music Competition (2024), as well as the Beethoven Prize and the Grand Prix (Governor of Yamaguchi Prize). In 2025, the ensemble won first prize and the Beethoven Prize at the 5th Munetsugu Hall String Quartet Competition and received the Aoyama Music Award (Baroque Hall Prize).

The quartet participated in the Accademia Musicale Chigiana Summer Academy in Siena, Italy, and the International Musical Artistry Goslar on full scholarships. It performed at the 31st Festival del Quartetto d’Archi in Pieve di Gropina, Italy, the International Music Festival in Goslar, and Guadix Clásica in Spain.

In Japan, the ensemble has performed in leading concert series, including Chamber Music Garden at Suntory Hall, the Salvia Hall Quartet Series, and “Chamber Music for the Future” at Philia Hall. Quartet Fugue is supported by the Matsuo Foundation (2024–2026).

At the 75th ARD International Music Competition, Quartet Fugue won third prize in the string quartet category.