Miwako Takeda

Miwako Takeda, Piano

After graduating from the Faculty of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts, he pursued further studies in Europe, completing the graduate program at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich, where he obtained the Meister Classen Diplom. Additionally, he attended the Salzburg Mozarteum and the Kunitachi College of Music Performer Course.

Throughout his career, he has achieved notable success in numerous international competitions, including 1st place in Hokkaido, 2nd place in Eastern Japan, and 3rd place with a special jury prize in the Maria Canals International Music Competition. He has also been recognized in competitions such as the Viotti International Music Competition '98 (Vercelli), the Dolo International Music Competition, the Rome International Piano Competition, the Mazara del Ballo International Piano Competition, the Mavi Marcos International Piano Competition, and the Ennio Polino International Piano Competition.

Under the guidance of esteemed mentors such as Hiro Murata, Kaori Mizuta, Katsumi Ueda, M. Huwenrieder, L. Hoffmann, K. Eichhorn, and A. Kontarski, he has honed his piano skills. He has showcased his talent through numerous recital activities, including solo recitals and piano duo recitals at prestigious venues such as Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Small Hall, Tsuda Hall, and Casals Hall, as well as performances in Florida, USA for three consecutive days.

He has collaborated with renowned musicians and performed at events attended by dignitaries such as His Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi and Princess Hitachi. His versatility and pianissimo tones have been lauded by critics, and his piano duo with his husband, Tsunehito Nakai, has earned recognition as the only Japanese duo to win prizes in both solo and duo competitions of the WFIMC member competitions of the World Federation of International Music Competitions.

He has made notable appearances on NHK-BS TV programs such as "Meikyoku Tantei Amadeus" and "Pia no Pier," as well as series concerts with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. In recent years, he has been invited to recital tours, including performances at the Bordeaux Music Festival in France and regular concerts in Germany, garnering acclaim in the press.

He has released several CDs, including "Miwako Takeda plays Liszt" (PAMP-1031), "Miwako Takeda cantando-angelico" (PAMP-1025), "Rachmaninov Suite" (PAMP-1034), "Mozart" (PAMP-1027), and "Brahms: Hungarian Dances Waltz Collection" (QACK-30002).

Currently, he serves as a lecturer at Ueno Gakuen University and Saitama Prefectural Omiya Koryo High School Music Department.

photo credit

© Fumihiko Tanaka (studio23)