“The Fukio Saxophone Quartet is playing with high precision, deep musical understanding and expression.“
Marianna Shirinyan

Since its inception in 2008, Fukio has firmly established itself as an internationally renowned saxophone quartet, known for its exceptional musical performances and groundbreaking contributions to the genre.

Based in Cologne, the quartet has garnered extensive recognition for its specialization in contemporary music at the HfMT Köln and chamber music at the CNSMD in Paris. Their unwavering commitment to artistic excellence has led them to collaborate closely with esteemed composers such as Georges Aperghis, Fabien Lévy, and Georg Friedrich Haas, solidifying their reputation as pioneers of innovative repertoire for sax ensembles. Fukio actively fosters collaborations with young and emerging composers, resulting in the creation of captivating new works specifically tailored for the saxophone quartet. This dedication has culminated in over twenty world premieres in recent years, firmly establishing Fukio as a driving force in the evolution of the genre.
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Thrilling audiences across Europe, Asia, and America, Fukio has graced the stages of the most prestigious concert halls around the world. Their unparalleled artistry has earned them invitations to perform at renowned festivals, including the esteemed Tripclubbing of Kölner Philharmonie, Intersonanzen Postdam, Spitzentone and Romanischer Sommer Köln, Hohenloher Kultursommer, Andernacher Musiktage, Berlin’s Young Euro Classics, Mosel Musikfestival, Kultursommer Oldenburg, Junge Elite Konzertreihe Schloss Fulda, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Festival Música en Segura, Festival Monteleón, and Festival Internacional de Música Contemporanea ENSEMS. In 2022, the quartet received a special invitation to perform at the prestigious Mozartfest Würzburg, further solidifying their status as internationally acclaimed artists.

Notable among their achievements, Fukio has garnered first prizes at numerous international competitions, including the Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Hochschulwettbewerbes für Neue Musik in Berlin, Karlsruher Wettbewerb für die Interpretation Neue Musik,

Coop Music Awards in Milan, and the 20th International Chamber Music Competition in Illzach, also earning gold medal at the UGDA competition in Luxembourg, the Gianni Bergamo Classic Music Award in Lugano, and the Concurso Permanente Jeunesses Musicales in Spain. In 2015, they were honored with the Werner Richard-Dr. Carl Dörken Foundation scholarship, and most recently, Fukio was bestowed with the highly coveted Spanish Fest Clásica 2020 award.
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Fukio's musical prowess has been registered in recordings that showcase their unique approach to arts. In 2014, they recorded their debut CD, a result of their victory at the FMB-Hochschulwettbewerb competition, produced by the esteemed Tonmeisterinstitut UdK Berlin. Their second CD, 'Time in Motion,' was awarded the prestigious "Taste the Best" prize by WDR, Ars Produktion, and Förderer der Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln in 2016, providing them with full support for the recording. Collaborating on the CD 'weiter' in 2019, Fukio presented a captivating selection of works by German composer Ralf Hoyer, produced by Kreuzberg Records in Berlin. Their performances have been broadcasted by acclaimed radio stations such as WDR, Deutschlandfunk, SR 2 KulturRadio, RNE, Radio Catalunya, and RTVE. Most recently, in Autumn 2022, Fukio released their latest album, "Transcend," with ARS Produktion, receiving international acclaim from the press as a "reveal of a humble and respectful study towards music." The album was awarded the prestigious prize "Melomano de Oro" by Melómano Digital Magazine, further solidifying Fukio's position as a leading ensemble in the international music scene.
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Beyond their captivating performances, Fukio considers pedagogical work as a central pillar of their artistic endeavors. The quartet actively contributes to the Encontro Galego do Saxofon and has conducted workshops at institutions such as the University of East Anglia (UK), the Universidad Autónoma Zacatecas (Mexico), the Conservatoire de Bordeaux Jacques Thibaud (France) and the MIT Ensemble in Taiwan. Through these educational initiatives, Fukio seeks to inspire and nurture the next generation of musicians, ensuring the perpetuation of their art form.

Fukio's confident and awe-inspiring journey on the international stage, coupled with their exceptional musicianship and unwavering dedication to expanding the boundaries of saxophone quartet music, have firmly established them as one of the most revered and celebrated ensembles in the world.