Yuko Kawai

Yuko Kawai (河合優子, Kawai Yūko, born in Nagoya, 20 October) is a Japanese classical pianist. She gave the world premiere of Chopin Piano Concertos in E minor Op. 11 and F minor Op. 21 in the version for one piano as published in the National Edition.[1]

Yuko Kawai
Yuko Kawai plays Pleyel
Background information
Birth nameYuko Kawai
Born20 October
Nagoya, Japan
GenresClassical
Occupation(s)Pianist
InstrumentsPiano

Biography

Education

After graduating from Nagoya Municipal Kikuzato High School Music Department, she studied piano, organ, conducting and chamber music under Professor Atsuko Ohori, Professor Both Lehel and Yuzo Toyama at Aichi Prefectural University of Arts and Music.She studied at Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw (Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw) and gained her diploma in 1994.[1]

Relationship with Jan Ekier

During her postgraduate studies in Aichi, her talent was spotted by Professor Jan Ekier, during his visit to Japan. They met in Nagoya and Ekier invited her to Warsaw.

Ekier visited Japan five times. His last visit was early in spring in 1990. He gave Chopin lectures and master-classes all over Japan. In 1990 Kawai was studying at Aichi Prefectural University of Arts and Music and attended his lesson in Nagoya. She played Chopin's Sonata in B minor Op.58. After the lesson Ekier immediately told Kawai to come to Poland, to his class at Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw. During the Japan tour Ekier had lessons with over 60 pianists, mainly Chopin Competition participants in October 1990, but only Kawai was invited as his pupil.[2] At that time Ekier told the masterclass interpreter about Kawai: "She has great potential. And she has very good hands as a pianist."[3]

Performances

Kawai has performed throughout Europe and Japan. She is especially known for playing Chopin, according to National Edition. Since 2001 she has given recitals of Chopin's entire output on the basis of the National Edition.[4]

Yuko Kawai & Chopin National Edition

Kawai met Jan Ekier's Chopin Urtext Edition when she was a junior high school student - Wiener Urtext Edition Chopin Nocturnes. Since she came to Poland to study with Ekier in 1991, she has used Chopin National Edition. Also, in 1991 Kawai obtained Ekier's book "Introduction to the National Edition".   In 2010 Kawai had her own TV programme series 'Yuko Kawai talks about Chopin National Edition' on CLASSICA JAPAN TV (vol.1-13, July–September 2010). In 2011 the programme won prestigious Japan Satellite Broadcasting Association Original Programming Awards.[5]

References
  1. "Yuko Kawai". arte90.com.pl. arte90.com.pl. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  2. "W wieku 101 lat zmarł Jan Ekier, pianista, kompozytor i pedagog". www.polskieradio24.pl. www.polskieradio24.pl. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  3. "2010年8月から10月のNHK趣味工房「あなたもアーティスト」内 ナショナル・エディションの編集責任者のヤン・エキエルの教え子の日本人ピアニスト・河合優子さんのインタビュー". natubunko.net. natubunko.net. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  4. Pianist Kawai seeks out the real Chopin | The Japan Times
  5. オリジナル番組アワード｜衛星放送協会
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