“Testa Calda” means “enthusiastic people” in Italian. Since foundation in 1982 by Michiko Kataoka, mandolinist, and her pupils including Toru Tajima, we have been exploring possibilities of ensemble, under Michiko Kataoka’s tutelage, in pursuit of enthusiastic expression of music and energetic sounds to be true to the name of the group. Current members are Toru Tajima, leader, Makoto Sakurai, mandolinist, and approximately 20 pupils studying at Kataoka Mandolin Institute.

We perform in our regular concert and annual concert of the Institute, and have proactively participated in/have been invited to music festivals for plectrum instruments held in Germany, Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Setouchi, etc. In our performances, we have been focusing on contemporary music not only from Japan but also from abroad, and since 2000 we have been working on commissioned pieces in the effort to expand our repertoire. So far, the works by Keiko Harada, Yasuo Kuwahara, Roland Ganz and Makoto Sakurai have been premiered.

Through working on contemporary music as well as many other good pieces and commissioned works, our journey to search “something new” in mandolin ensemble will continue.