Yasuko Otani (Violin)After graduating from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Yasuko Otani went on to complete the doctoral course at that university’s graduate school. She took first place in the All-Japan Student Music Concours, and second place in the Henryk Szeryng Japan Visit Commemorative Competition.
In 1988 Otani attracted a great deal of attention when she became the first female violinist in Japan ever to perform three violin concertos in one evening (Mendelssohn, Stravinsky, and Lalo). In the spring of 1990, Otani performed recitals in four European cities (Rome, Vienna, Berlin, Cologne) to great acclaim. In addition to recital and concert activities abroad, she gives recitals throughout Japan. She also performs with many orchestras, including the Slovakia Philharmonic, the Tokyo Philharmonic, the New Japan Philharmonic, the Tokyo City Philharmonic, the Sapporo and Kyushu Symphony Orchestras, and the Nagoya, Osaka, and Kansai Philharmonic Orchestras. Otani performs with numerous orchestras overseas as well, and she appears regularly in a variety of media including television (“Untitled Concert”). Her ambitious work in the fields of chamber and contemporary music has earned her a wide fan base. In addition, she has been very active in presenting concerts in hospitals and other facilities on a volunteer basis.
After serving as concert master of the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Otani was appointed concert master of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, where she currently holds the position of solo concert master. Her solo recital at Suntory Hall (Main Hall) in 1999 was widely acclaimed. In 2005, Otani formed the string quartet Quattro Piaceri, whose high-quality performances have attracted much attention. On September 20, 2008, Otani once again gave a solo recital at Suntory Hall (Main Hall), which drew a full house and was highly praised.
Otani has been teaching the next generation as an instructor at the high school affiliated with Tokyo National University of Fine Arts, and she is currently a professor at the Tokyo College of Music.
Her CDs, released on Sony and other labels, include “Fantaisie La Traviata” and “After the Dream.” June 2008 saw the release of “Yasuko Plays Chaconne,” which has been very well received.
Yasuko Otani plays a 1708 Pietro Guarneri violin.
