Nobuhito Nakai

Nobuhito Nakai ,Piano

After graduating from the music high school affiliated with Tokyo University of the Arts, he pursued further studies at the university, its graduate school, and the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich (Meister Class). Additionally, he studied at the Mozarteum University of Music and Performing Arts Salzburg, where he received a DAAD scholarship during his time in Germany. He was invited to participate in a lecture on Beethoven given by Mr. Opitz of the W. Kempf Cultural Foundation in Positano, Italy.

Throughout his education, he received guidance from esteemed mentors such as Yoko Watanabe, Morio and Mutsuko Tozawa, Susumu Umetani, Katsumi Ueda, Gerhard Opitz, Karl-Heinz Kemmerling for piano; Alfons Kontarski for piano duo; and Helmut Deutsch and Donald Sulzen for song accompaniment.

He has achieved notable success in various international competitions, including 3rd place in the Japan Music Competition, the Audience Award at the J. Brahms International Music Competition, 1st prize in the Senigallia International Piano Competition, 3rd Prize in the Viotti International Music Competition (Vercelli), Diploma in the Prague Spring International Music Competition, and winner of the Mavi Marcotte International Piano Competition. He also attained 4th place in the Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition.

His performance repertoire includes Brahms' Concerto No. 1 with the Croatian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Pro Arte Marche Symphony Orchestra (Italy), and Concerto No. 2 with the RAI Italian National Radio Symphony Orchestra and Kukurova Devlet Symphony Orchestra (Turkey), among others. He has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and the Toho Orchestra Academy.

He has appeared in various concerts across Japan, Europe, and the United States, showcasing a wide range of musical activities, including solo recitals, chamber music performances, song accompaniment, and collaborations with orchestras. He has also made appearances on NHK-BS TV programs such as "Meikyoku Tantei Amadeus" and "Pia no Pier", and participated in master courses at the Ecole Normale in Paris.

In recent years, he has been invited to recital tours, including performances at the Bordeaux Music Festival in France and regular concerts in Germany, receiving acclaim in the press. Additionally, he has held charity concerts and visited social welfare facilities as part of his philanthropic efforts.

His piano duo with his wife, Miwako Takeda, has garnered recognition as the only Japanese duo to win both solo and duo prizes in the WFIMC affiliated competitions of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, earning praise for their sincere and deep musical interpretations.

Released the CD "Brahms" (PAMP1030), piano duo "Rachmaninov Suite" (PAMP-1034), "Mozart" (PAMP1027), and "Brahms: Hungarian Dances Waltz Collection" (QACK-30002).

Currently an associate professor at Toho Gakuen University. He also teaches piano solo and piano duo at Toho Gakuen Graduate School. Starting with Tomamu Resort Seminars, we are also focusing on educational aspects such as lectures, competition judging, advice lessons, etc.

photo credit

© Toshiaki Yamada