Minoru Yoshizawa

Minoru Yoshizawa, Recorder

Minoru Yoshizawa

Minoru Yoshizawa is a distinguished musician and educator celebrated for his contributions to the world of recorder music and music education.

He began his musical journey by graduating from Musashino Academia Musicae before furthering his studies at the Salzburg Mozarteum College of Music Recorder Department as an Austrian government scholarship student, where he earned a Soloist Diploma. Under the tutelage of F. Kehldorfer, he mastered the art of recorder performance, while also delving into early music performance methods and musicology under the guidance of N. Harnoncourt.

After completing his education, Yoshizawa immersed himself in the vibrant European music scene, serving as a flutist with the Mozarteum Orchestra and the Austrian Contemporary Music Ensemble. His talent caught the attention of renowned conductors such as H. Karajan and R. Nureyev, leading to memorable performances alongside these luminaries.

Upon returning to Japan, Yoshizawa dedicated himself to music education, becoming a lecturer on NHK Educational TV programs "Fue wa Utau" (1986-1997) and "Hobby Yuyu" ('01-'09). He also graced numerous concerts with his presence, recorded for various mediums including movies, animations, CDs, DVDs, and appeared in numerous TV commercials.

Deeply committed to supporting children's education, Yoshizawa engaged in activities promoting children's independence in Indonesia and India through NGO and JICA initiatives.

Yoshizawa is the presiding figure of the recorder unit "La Strada" and remains at the forefront of premiering contemporary music. He is also an accomplished author, having penned over 50 music textbooks.

Drawing upon his vast experience and expertise, Yoshizawa has shared his knowledge as a guest lecturer at esteemed institutions such as the Vienna College of Music and the Mozarteum College of Music. Presently, he serves as a part-time lecturer at Yokohama National University, Musashino College of Music, and Tokyo University of the Arts.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the arts, Yoshizawa has been honored with the Shizuoka Prefecture Arts and Culture Encouragement Award.

photo credit

© Shuya Fukada