Mozart Matinee #65

Born in Kobe. Performed and taught in various countries in Europe and Asia while he lived in Holland and Belgium in the last 16 years of the 20th century. He was the first baroque-cello professor of the Royal Conservatory of Brussels from 1994 to 2000. He was a member of the 18th Century (1985-93) and of La Petite Bande (1986-2001, principal cellist from 1991), and a founding member and principal cellist of Bach Collegium Japan until 2014.

Founded Orchestra Libera Classica in 2001, performing and recording classical music, especially Joseph Haydn's. Released many recordings from his own label, Arte dell'arco. A guest professor of the cello department of the Tokyo College of Music. His books are: 'Farewell, 'Ancient instruments'! (Kogakki-yo, saraba!)', 'Gut Café', and 'Unaccompanied cello suites (a detailed explanation of Bach's suite). Awarded the 37th Suntory Music Award and Hideo Saito Memorial Fund Award. He is the music director of the Kobe-city Chamber Orchestra, the chief guest conductor of Yamagata Symphony Orchestra, has been invited to number of orchestras in Japan. Member of “Rakuyu-kai” string quartet, and a board member of the Beethovenkreis, Japan.

Mayuko Ishigami extraordinary talent was recognized early and at age eight she was invited to perform at the International Music Festival in Rome. She is now a top prize winner in many national and international competitions including 2nd Prize, the Audience Prize and the Nakamichi Award from the 77th National Music Competition of Japan. She also received 1st Prizes at the Romanian International Music Competition, Czech Music Competition as well as other prizes from the 1st Bartok World Competition in Budapest in 2017.She has performed as soloist with Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, City of Kyoto Symphony, Osaka Philharmonic, Osaka Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Brasov National Philharmonic, and others.Currently she received Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Award, Osaka Cultural Festival Award, and the Best Young Artist Award of City of Kyoto and others.