Australian music stars deceased in Cardiovascular disease
Here are 1 famous musicians from Australia died in Cardiovascular disease:
Hiroyuki Iwaki
Hiroyuki Iwaki (September 6, 1932 Tokyo-June 13, 2006) was an Australian conductor and percussionist.
He was best known for his tenure as the chief conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra from 1974 to 1984. Iwaki was born in Tokyo and began his career as a percussionist in Japan before moving to Australia in 1956. He played with various orchestras and eventually became the assistant conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 1965. Iwaki was a champion of contemporary Australian music and conducted premieres of works by many Australian composers. He was also a teacher and mentor to many young conductors in Australia. In addition to his work with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Iwaki conducted and guest conducted with many other orchestras around the world. He was awarded an Order of Australia in 1987 for his services to music.
Throughout his career, Hiroyuki Iwaki conducted over 1000 concerts and worked with many notable soloists such as Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, and Yo-Yo Ma. He was also an advocate for music education and founded the MSO ArtPlay Ensemble, which was dedicated to providing children with opportunities to explore and create music. In 1994, Iwaki was appointed as the founding conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 2005. He was respected and loved by many in the Australian and international music community and his legacy lives on through the many musicians he mentored and inspired.
Iwaki's musical talent was recognized at a young age and he began studying at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo when he was only 14 years old. After graduation, he became a member of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and performed as a percussionist across Japan before coming to Australia. In addition to his work as a conductor and percussionist, Iwaki was also a composer and arranger. He arranged and presented traditional Japanese music for Western audiences, such as shamisen and koto music performed with orchestras.
In 1990, Iwaki was appointed as the music director of the Fukuoka Symphony Orchestra in Japan, a position he held until 2004. He also guest conducted with many other Japanese orchestras throughout his career. In recognition of his contributions to Japanese culture, Iwaki was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2005, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Japanese government.
In his personal life, Iwaki was known for his humble nature and love of nature, often retreating to his home in the Australian bush to find inspiration for his music. He was married to his wife Margaret for over 40 years and they had two children together.
Hiroyuki Iwaki passed away in 2006 at the age of 73 from pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a rich legacy as a conductor, percussionist, composer, and mentor to countless musicians.
Throughout his tenure as the chief conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Iwaki was instrumental in transforming the orchestra into one of the leading orchestras in Australia. His commitment to contemporary Australian music saw him conduct the premiere of many works, including Peter Sculthorpe's Sun Music IV, which was later awarded the Paul Lowin Prize for its outstanding contribution to Australian music. Iwaki was also a pioneer in the field of music education, creating many programs that provided young people with opportunities to learn and grow through music. In addition to founding the MSO ArtPlay Ensemble, he also established the MSO Family Concerts, which aimed to introduce children to classical music in a fun and engaging way.
Iwaki's legacy as a conductor and mentor continues to inspire generations of musicians. Many of his former students, including Brett Dean and Benjamin Northey, have gone on to achieve great success in their own careers as conductors. The Hiroyuki Iwaki Foundation, which was established after his death, provides scholarships and opportunities for young musicians to study and perform overseas, embodying Iwaki's passion for music education and mentorship. His contribution to music and the arts in both Australia and Japan is immeasurable, and his memory lives on through the many musicians, students, and fans whose lives he touched.
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