Period

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Modern

Genre

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Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Akiko Ebi is a renowned classical pianist who has captivated audiences around the world with her virtuosic performances and deep musicality. Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1951, Ebi began playing the piano at the age of three and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She studied at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, where she was mentored by the legendary pianist and pedagogue, Eliza Hansen. Ebi's early career was marked by a series of impressive accomplishments. In 1970, she won first prize at the Japan Music Competition, which launched her onto the international stage. She went on to win numerous other awards, including the prestigious Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition in Paris in 1975. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ebi performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States, earning critical acclaim for her interpretations of the works of Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy, among others. She also became known for her collaborations with other musicians, including the violinist Pinchas Zukerman and the cellist Yo-Yo Ma. One of Ebi's most notable performances came in 1987, when she played the complete cycle of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas over the course of six concerts at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo. The marathon performance was a testament to Ebi's technical prowess and her deep understanding of Beethoven's music. In addition to her performing career, Ebi has also been a dedicated teacher and mentor to young musicians. She has taught at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, the Tokyo College of Music, and the Conservatoire de Paris, among other institutions. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers as performers and teachers in their own right. Ebi's recordings have also been widely praised for their artistry and technical excellence. She has recorded the complete works of Chopin, as well as works by Liszt, Debussy, and Ravel, among others. Her recording of Chopin's 24 Preludes won the Grand Prix du Disque in 1986. Throughout her career, Ebi has remained committed to exploring new musical horizons and pushing the boundaries of her art. In recent years, she has collaborated with the composer Toshio Hosokawa on a series of works that blend traditional Japanese music with contemporary classical techniques. Despite her many accomplishments, Ebi remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She has said that her goal as a musician is to "communicate the beauty and depth of music to as many people as possible." With her extraordinary talent and unwavering commitment to excellence, she has certainly achieved that goal, and continues to inspire audiences around the world with her performances.

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