Saitama Hall Lunchtime Concert Vol.53
Viola dected by members of NHK Symphony Orchestra

June 24, 2022 (Fri) Start 12:10 pm (Ends 1:00pm)

Saitama Hall / Large Hall

Ryo Sasaki, Junichiro Murakami, Shigetaka Obata, Gentaro Sakaguchi, Mayumi Taniguchi, Hiroto Tobisawa, Shotaro Nakamura, Hironori Nakamura, Yuya Minorikawa, Ryo Muramatsu (Viola)

Knox: Marin Marais Variations on “Folies d’Espagne”
Rossini : Overture from Opera ” The Barber of Seville “
Bartók : Romanian Folk Dances  etc.

Saitama Arts Foundation

Ryo Sasaki
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. Won the first prize at the GENON Chamber Music Competition and the second prize at the Tokyo International Chamber Music　Competition. Studied at the Juilliard School and performed at Lincoln Center recitals as well as solo and chamber music throughout the US. Participated in both the Aspen and Marlboro Music Festivals. In 2008, appointed as the chief musician of NHK Symphony Orchestra. Teaches younger students at Toho Gakuen College and Senzoku Gakuen College.

Junichiro Murakami
Studied viola with Mazumi Tanamura and Augusto Vismara, chamber music with Nobuko Yamazaki and Goldberg Miyoko Yamane. First prize at the Trieste International Competition and the Vittorio Gui International Competition. In addition to his solo principal position with the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Cologne, has been a guest principal with orchestras throughout Europe, and is also active in chamber music and solo performances. Since October 2021, has been Principal Viola of the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Shigetaka Obata
Studied violin under Yuji Togi and Yuko Iwatani, viola under Junji Suganuma, and chamber music under Kiyoshi Okayama at Tokyo University of the Arts. Studied with the Bartók Quartet in master classes in Peierbach-Reichenau.In 1995, joined the NHK Symphony Orchestra. In 2003, went to Rome to study viola with Giusto Cappone and Danilo Rossi.

Gentaro Sakaguchi
Deputy acting viola player of the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Completed the Music Department and the Graduate School of Chamber Music (Viola and Piano Duet) at Tokyo University of the Arts. Won the third prize at the 9th Japan Chamber Music Competition, and was also awarded the Encouragement Prize. Studied viola under Yoshiaki Nakatsuka and viola and piano duet under Katsuya Matsubara.

Mayumi Taniguchi
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. Performed at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Debut concert for up and coming musicians. Scholarship and honorary award for the best diploma at the summer seminar chamber music course at the Chigiana Conservatory of Music in Italy. In 2000, joined the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Went to Germany for a year in 2007. Joined the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra as a term contract member.

Hiroto Tobisawa
After graduating from Toho Gakuen School of Music, she switched to viola. Second prize (without first prize) at the 4th Maurice Vieux International Viola Competition in 1992. Studied in Paris in 1995. In 1997, received a concert diploma from the Paris Ecole Normale Conservatoire. Joined Orchestre National de la Paix de la Loire. Joined the NHK Symphony Orchestra in 2006. Studied under Mazumi Tanamura and Gérard Cossé.

Shotaro Nakamura
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. In 2010, won the first prize in the string section of the 15th Concours Marronnier 21. Performed chamber music with members of the Berlin Philharmonic and Vienna Philharmonic, and has participated in the Sainte-European Music Festival, both in Japan and abroad. Representative of the string ensemble “TGS”. After studying at the NHK Symphony Academy, joined the NHK Symphony Orchestra in 2014, currently a acting principal. Studied under Yuki Hyakutake and Kazunori Kawasaki.

Hironori Nakamura
After studying at Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, received his MFA from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Won the highest prize at the 8th Japan Performers’ Competition. Appeared as a chamber musician in music festivals and TV programs in Japan and abroad, and has been invited to various orchestras as a guest principal player. Joined the NHK Symphony Orchestra in 2015 after serving as Forespieler of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently, the second chair player.

Yuya Minorikawa
After graduating from Toho Gakuen Girls’ Senior High School of Music (co-ed), graduated from Toho Gakuen School of Music in 2003. Joined NHK Symphony Orchestra in 2009. Has conducted the Fuda Symphony Orchestra, the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, and numerous ballet performances. In addition to orchestral arrangements for Yoshiko Hanzaki, also works as an arranger. Studied viola under the late Sumiko Edo, violin under Eiko Ichikawa, and conducting under the late Shunsaku Tsutsumi. Currently, the Inspector of the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Ryo Muramatsu
After graduating from Tokyo College of Music High School, graduate from the same college. In 2003, won third prize in the high school division of the 4th Osaka International Competition (without first or second prize), and first prize in the Tokyo College of Music Competition in 2007. After studying at the NHK Symphony Orchestra Academy, currently the Deputy Viola Player of the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Member of the HAMAJACK. Also active as a principal guest in various orchestras, playing chamber music, solo, and teaching amateur orchestras.