On March 11, 2011, the Big Hall of Tbilisi State Conservatoire hosted wonderful violin music under the aegis of Japanese Cultural Month called Spring of Japan. It was a flawless performance with traditional Japanese restraint and virtuoso playing. 

The diplomatic relations between Japan and South Caucasus countries, namely, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, were established in1992. The year 2012, marks the 20th Anniversary of these historical events. As for the celebration of the jubilee between Georgian and Japan, the Governments of the

For Ken Aiso this is a Caucasus Tour, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and three South Caucasus countries – Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The concerts are dedicated to the victims and the Recovery from March 11th,  2011 Earthquake and related catastrophe in Japan.

The Japanese violin-player Ken Aiso presented his creative skills together with the Georgian pianist Natella Iashvili-Politkovskaya. He was distinguished by the traditional Japanese moderation. I really found myself in a marvelous world of Japanese landscapes as a reflection of his peaceful sounds, which was really heeling.

Ken Aiso has a varied career as soloist, chamber musician, teacher and educator. As a recitalist and chamber musician he has performed widely in Europe, the USA and Japan, in such concert halls as Wogmore, Queen Elizabeth in London, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Suntory in Tokyo. He has appeared as soloist and chamber musician in music festivals such as Aldeburgh, Cheltenham, IMS Prussia Cove, Salisbury, Menuhin and Sangat. In 2003 he was honored to appear as soloist before the Emperor and Empress of Japan. In 2004 he founded the acclaimed AISO Quartet. His teaching activities include performance classes at the Royal Academy of Music and master-class at the Montecito Summer Music Festival in Santa Barbara. Ken’s commitment to music education combined with his special rapport with young people makes him much in demand for music workshops in schools.

Natella Iashvili-Politkovkaya has diplomas of the Glazunov (Moscow), Sibelius (Finland), Paganini (Italy) competitions. She has performed with the soloists such as M. Iashvili, Oistrakh, Deyan Bogdanovich (Yugoslavia), Rusin; played in many concert halls of Moscow including Big and Small Halls of the Moscow State Conservatoire, Tchaikovski Concert Hall, Hall of the Bolshoi Theatre. She toured in Italy, Finland, Yugoslavia, Germany, Poland, France etc. As a concertmaster participated in competitions and music Festivals, took part in master-classes of renowned musicians.  She is the daughter of renowned violinists – Maria Iashvili and Igor Politkovsky, and therefore, belongs to the Iashvili musical dynasty.

The diplomatic relations between Japan and Caucasus Countries. Armeina, Azerbaijan, Georgia were established in 1992. The year 2012, marks the 20th anniversary of these historical events.

The program was colorful and included the famous works of outstanding German, Japanese, Georgian, Armenian, Russian and Spanish composers, namely those of Schuman (Violin Sonata No. 1 a minor), Miyagi (Haru no Umi – Spring Sea), Takemitsu (Hika), Davitashvili (Poema), Khachaturian (Andante from Violin Concerto), Stravinsky (Danse Russe from “petrushka”), and Sarasate (Zigeunerweisen – Gypsy melodies ).

Ken Aiso’s concert was organized by Classical Music Preservation, Development and Popularization Center within the framework of Spring of Japan presenting Japanese Cultural Month in Georgia. It started in the middle of February and will end by Japanese Film Festival on March 25.