This site provides information about the Walloon region of Belgium and the Francophonie on the occasion of the Expo 2025 Osaka.
©Mibemol
©Mibemol
Alain Crepin & Mi-Bémol Saxophone Ensemble Concert
At the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, Belgian saxophonist Alain Crépin will perform a special concert dedicated to Adolphe Sax, leading the world-famous Japanese saxophone ensemble "Mi-Bémol" with Belgian soloist Simon Dierick and Japanese soloist Rui Ozawa. Come and enjoy a fascinating performance that celebrates the musical exchange between Belgium and Japan.
Masahiro Maeda is the founder of the Japanese saxophone ensemble Mi-Bémol, which has established itself as one of the world's leading ensembles in the last 25 years.
Alain Crepin is a renowned Belgian saxophonist and passionate advocate for the popularization of the saxophone. Every four years he holds an international saxophone competition in Dinant, Belgium, the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone.
It was through this competition that Alain Crépin and Masahiro Maeda met and forged a friendship through this common love for music. Since then, they have continued to fuel the shared Belgian-Japanese passion for this beautiful instrument. 🔥
©Mibemol
Since its creation in 1989, Mi-Bémol Saxophone Ensemble has performed a wide range of genres, from classical to jazz and pop, gaining recognition both in Japan and internationally. The group’s name originates from the fact that playing a "C" on the alto or baritone saxophone produces an actual "E-flat" sound. They have toured across Asia, Europe, and North America, performing not only in concert halls but also in parks and vineyards, fostering international cultural exchange. Their performances on YouTube have garnered nearly 1.5 million views, earning high praise from audiences worldwide. Additionally, they are deeply committed to education, and many of their arrangements are performed internationally, significantly contributing to the development of this musical genre.
Alain Crépin is a Belgian saxophonist, composer and conductor born in 1954. He was professor of saxophone at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and was also a saxophone soloist within the Royal Guard of Belgium. He composed many works for brass bands and saxophone ensembles, and his music has been performed internationally. As a conductor, he led various orchestras and contributed to the development of the saxophone repertoire. He has also served as a judge for prominent competitions and is committed to popularizing saxophone music.
©Alain Crépin
©Simon Dirick
Simon Dierik is a talented Belgian saxophonist who studied at the Paris Conservatoire and other prestigious music conservatories, graduating with first class honours from his master's degree in 2010. He has won numerous international competitions, including the Grand Prix at the Adolphe Sax International Competition in 2010. He has performed as a soloist with renowned orchestras in Europe, Brazil and Russia. He is also active in chamber music as a member of Duo Epsilon and Ensemble Squirante, having released several albums. He currently teaches saxophone at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, the Conservatoire of Brussels and the Conservatoire of Tournai.
After graduating at the top of her class from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music with the highest honors, she continued her studies in France. She earned a unanimous first prize at the Cergy-Pontoise Conservatory and graduated with top honors from the Paris Conservatoire in saxophone and chamber music as a member of Ensemble Rayuela. She has received numerous awards in international competitions, including second prize at the Adolphe Sax International Competition in Belgium. As a soloist, she has performed with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, the Paris Police Band, and Ensemble Intercontemporain. Currently, she is active as both a performer and educator, collaborating with groups such as the Parero Saxophone Quartet and Ensemble Fila Alba.
©Rui Ozawa
