Norihiko Takiue

Takiue was born in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Takiue entered Kunitachi College of Music in 1989. In 1992, he moved to Europe and studied under Daniel Defayet (former professor at the Paris Conservatory). He graduated from Kunitachi College of Music in 1993, performing at the graduation concert. In 1998, he completed his graduate studies at Kunitachi College of Music, after which, he participated in a newcomer concert. In 1995 Takiue made his debut when he was selected as a soloist for the 83rd regular performance of the Kunitachi College of Music Orchestra. Since then, he has been active as a soloist, in studio work, and as an orchestral player in major orchestras in Japan, as well as an extra in the Japan Super Band and other major brass bands. In 2014, he was the concerto soloist at the Nagoya University of Arts Wind Orchestra regular concert, performing the Japanese premieres of Gilson's First Concerto, and Doss's Spotlight. Takiue also released CDs worldwide through De Haske (Holland). In 2015, he participated in the 17th World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, France. His Hayabusa Quartet CD was selected as an outstanding recording by Record Geijutsu magazine. In 2016, Takiue appeared as soloist in the Musica Cuore Flute Ensemble's Barcelona and Tokyo regular concerts, and in 2018, he participated in the 18th World Saxophone Congress (Zagreb, Croatia) and gave the Quartet Hayate recital. He was appointed concertmaster and soloist of the All Japan Saxophone Orchestra, Orchestre de saxophone du Japon. He also teaches master classes at the Bartók School of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary. The Quartet Hayate recital was held at Bartók Hall. In this same year, he directed the QUARTET HAYATE CD, which was chosen as a special selection by Record Geijutsu magazine. In 2019, Takiue held recital tours in Tokyo (including 2 additional performances), Nagoya, Tsukuba, and Utsunomiya. He served as the soloist for the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa in 2020. The final concert of the recital tour was held in Takayama in the same year. He has also performed with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Prague Symphony Orchestra, and other leading orchestras abroad. Takiue is a member of Quartet Hayate, the Tad Wind Symphony, and Hearts Winds. Currently, he is a lecturer at Kunitachi College of Music, Tokai University, and Kunitachi College of Music Junior and Senior High Schools. He is also a member of the Japan Saxophone Society's board of directors. Takuie studied saxophone under Yuji Ishiwata, Kazuo Tomioka, Keiji Shimoji, Shinichi Iwamoto, Noriyuki Kosaka, and the late Daniel Deffayet.