ABOUT
Duo Futura is a contemporary classical music ensemble.
Cellist Maria Kulowska and percussionist Sakiko Idei combine the warm tones of the cello with the dynamic energy of percussion to create a unique soundscape. Since their debut in 2018, they have developed a diverse repertoire of contemporary classical works, ranging from pieces composed in the 20th century to music written especially for them today. Their repertoire includes works by composers such as: Andy Akiho, Szymon Brzóska, Oded Geizhals, Miho Hazama, Hideki Ikegami, David Lang, Astor Piazzolla, Erik V. Sköld, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Kaoru Wada.
SAKIKO IDEI
was born in Okayama (Japan). She initially studied pedagogy and then pursued a Master's degree in percussion at the renowned Kyoto University of Arts. A postgraduate program at the State University of Music Karlsruhe took her to Germany, from where she performs as a soloist and plays in numerous orchestras and ensembles across Europe.
Her musical range spans from classical music to contemporary works, as well as experimental and improvised styles. To explore new musical horizons, she collaborates with other artists such as composers, dancers, visual artists, and filmmakers.
She is a member of several ensembles, including the SaRu-Percussionduo and the Japode-Trio, which captivate audiences with creative and diverse programs. As a founding member of the FourSchlag-Percussionensemble, she was awarded the Koblenzer Kulturhaus Award in 2023 for the inclusive multimedia program "Watch the Beat".
In 2024, Sakiko Idei performed as a soloist in the European premiere of Kevin Puts' Marimba Concerto with the Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz, as well as Toshio Mashima's Marimba Concerto with the Kreisorchester Trier-Saarburg.
In addition to her work as a lecturer for percussion at the Karl-Berg Music School Trier, Sakiko Idei is involved in youth work through children's and student concerts, workshops, and continuing education seminars.
MARIA KULOWSKA
was born into a musical family in Poland and began her musical education at the age of 7 at the State School of Music in Gdańsk. She graduated with distinction from the F. Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and the Musikhochschule Lübeck.
Maria has performed in masterclasses with Mischa Maisky, Lynn Harrell, Wolfgang Boettcher, Miklós Perényi, and Walter Levin. She has been awarded numerous scholarships and prizes from DAAD, the Schleswig-Holstein Festival, the Hindemith Foundation, the Carl Flesch Akademie, the Lucerne Festival, and various international cello competitions.
As an orchestral musician, Maria has worked with several orchestras, including the Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra, Lübecker Philharmoniker, Hamburger Symphoniker, Warsaw Radio Orchestra, and Sinfonia Varsovia, performing under the direction of Pierre Boulez, Charles Dutoit, Sir Neville Marriner, among others. For four years, she served as the principal cellist of the Klassische Philharmonie Bonn. Since 2013, she has been a member of the Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg.
In addition to classical music, Maria works with the electric cello and loops, both as a performer and composer, creating scores for various shows and short films.
Furthermore, Maria has a keen interest in education. She is a cello teacher at the École de Musique du Canton de Redange in Luxembourg and has participated as a music coach in the annual Southampton Strings Festival in New York.