Mari Kumamoto

Mari Kumamoto,Piano

Born in Tokyo, she moved to Spain with her family at the age of 10. She studied at the Spanish Royal Madrid Conservatory, where she distinguished herself by winning the Spanish Youth Music Competition. Subsequently, she earned a scholarship to study at the Juilliard School and later at the Royal Academy of Music. She achieved further recognition as the winner of the Newport International Music Competition in England and was awarded by the late Princess Diana. Remarkably, she received a recital diploma at a very young age.

In 1991, she accomplished the world's first recording of the complete piano works of the Spanish composer Mompou. Additionally, she attained the ARAM qualification, an honor bestowed upon graduates with outstanding achievements from the Royal Academy of Music.

Her performances on the world stage have included collaborations with esteemed orchestras such as the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Joseph Suk & Suk Chamber Orchestra, the Cairo Opera Orchestra, and the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra. She has also given recitals in various locations including Spain, Prague, Alexandria, Egypt, Amman, Jordan, and Buenos Aires.

In Japan, she has contributed significantly to the promotion of classical music for over a decade. Notable projects include hosting the ROHM Lyric Selection national tour, NHK's "Geijutsu Gekijyo" BS Classic Pickup, and the concert series "One Million Classics," aimed at making classical music more accessible to a wider audience.

In 2016, marking the 30th anniversary of her debut, she performed with the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Junichi Hirokami as part of the renovation project of ROHM Theater Kyoto, including a commemorative recital in Tokyo. Additionally, she has served as a judge for international competitions and was appointed as Kanagawa Prefecture's Magical Ambassador as part of the prefecture's cultural promotion project.

Her contributions extend beyond performance, as she has published the book "A Pianist from Morning to Night" (published by Hannah). In 2017, she released the 100th anniversary albums of William Gillock's birth, titled <Mari Plays Gillock> and <Mari Plays Satie>, simultaneously from King Records. Furthermore, her performance of Gillock's works was featured on TV Asahi's "Untitled Concert" in January 2018.

Continuously supported by a diverse range of fans, she is celebrated for her versatile activities, including collaboration concerts with actors and celebrities, appearances on television and radio, and writing engagements. Currently, she serves as a professor at Osaka University of Arts Performance Department.

photo credit

© Shimokoshi Haruki