Birth

:

in Tokyo, Japan

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Yuzuko Horigome is a renowned Japanese violinist who has made a significant impact on the classical music world. Born on October 6, 1957, in Tokyo, Japan, Horigome began playing the violin at the age of three. Her father, who was a music teacher, recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Horigome's early training was under the guidance of Shinichi Suzuki, the founder of the Suzuki Method, which emphasizes the importance of early childhood education in music. She later studied at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, where she was mentored by the renowned violinist, Koichiro Harada. In 1979, Horigome won the first prize at the prestigious International Competition of the ARD Music Competition in Munich, Germany. This was a significant achievement for the young violinist, as the competition was known for its high standards and rigorous selection process. Her win catapulted her to international fame and opened doors for her to perform with some of the world's leading orchestras. Horigome's career took off in the 1980s, and she quickly established herself as one of the most sought-after violinists of her generation. She has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. One of Horigome's most memorable performances was in 1986 when she performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Herbert von Karajan. The performance was recorded and released on CD, and it remains one of the most celebrated recordings of the concerto. Horigome has also been a regular performer at major music festivals around the world, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Tanglewood Music Festival. She has collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Seiji Ozawa, Leonard Bernstein, and Sir Simon Rattle. In addition to her solo career, Horigome is also a dedicated chamber musician. She has performed with some of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Tokyo String Quartet and the Guarneri Quartet. She is also a founding member of the Horigome-Ohga Duo, which she formed with the pianist Kazuhito Yamashita. Horigome's repertoire is vast and includes works by some of the greatest composers in the classical music canon, including Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. She is particularly known for her interpretations of the works of Beethoven and Brahms, which she has performed and recorded extensively. Throughout her career, Horigome has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to classical music. In 1990, she was awarded the Suntory Music Award, one of the most prestigious music awards in Japan. In 2000, she was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon by the Japanese government for her contributions to the arts. In 2014, she was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for her contributions to the promotion of Japanese culture. Horigome is also a dedicated teacher and has taught at many of the world's leading music schools, including the Juilliard School in New York and the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is currently a professor at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, where she continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of musicians.

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