Atsuko Kawakami Piano Recital [Tokyo]

Program

Ravel: Gaspard of the Night
M. Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit

Ravel: Tomb of Couperin
M. Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin

Chopin; Barcarolle Op.60
F. Chopin: Barcarolle Op.60

Chopin: Two Nocturnes, Op.62
F. Chopin: 2 Nocturnes Op.62

Profile

Atsuko Kawakami, piano
After graduating from the Faculty of Economics, Yokohama National University, moved to England. Studied the piano under Benjamin Caplan and devoted himself to study.
In 2001, he made his debut in the Japan premiere of Liszt's "Transcendence Technique Etudes 1837 Edition", which was said to be impossible to perform. Ongaku Gendai magazine praised him as a rare Liszt player.
In 2003, he performed Akira Ifukube's "Nihon Kumikyoku" and was praised by Akira Ifukube who was in attendance. In May 2004, he performed the piano solo version of "Japanese Rhapsody" dedicated by Mr. Akira Ifukube for the first time in his presence. The CD "Akira Ifukube Piano Works" released in September 2012 was praised by the "Record Geijutsu" magazine as "a splendid performance that makes the most of the vitality and folklore of Ifukube's works. It has been endorsed by the composer. There is something unique about it, and it's full of nuances, and it's a majestic expression.A strong steel-like touch gives it a primitive strength that can be said to be the primordial sound of life." and selected as a special edition.
In addition to giving recitals throughout Japan, they have given recitals and duo concerts in New York, Europe, and Southeast Asia, and have also performed at music festivals. The Schumann & Brahms program at the recital tour held in April 2016 at four locations nationwide and at Carnegie Hall in New York was described by Chopin magazine as "a large-scale performance that gives you a sense of freedom and clarity of sensibility. Exquisite expression supported by rich musicality”.
In January 2017, Masahiro Aoyama premiered the piano concerto "Ubutsu no Hajime", written with Atsuko Kawakami in mind, with the Hokkaido Farmers Orchestra. He is also enthusiastically working on Japanese works.
Other major concerts include a concert of Mozart's piano sonatas in non-pedal playing based on the first manuscript ("Transparent timbre and wonderful fingering. Academically conveying the splendor of Mozart's piano music" (" Chopin magazine)), Akira Ifukube's "Ritmika Ostinata" with the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, and a duo concert with violinist Ruth Leskowitz.
In addition to piano, she studied under Shizuko Ikegami, Michiko Endo, and Chiharu Taguchi.