Yasuko OhtaniYasuko Ohtani

Yasuko Ohtani, who in 2023 celebrates the 48th anniversary of her debut, is one of Japan’s leading violinists in terms of both popularity and talent. Acclaimed for her “singing violin,” she moves and delights audiences with her vivid stage presence and warm, profound musicality.

After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, Ohtani went on to complete the doctoral course at that university’s graduate school. She began her career as a soloist while still a student. She has performed recitals to high acclaim in locations such as Vienna, Rome, Cologne and Berlin, and received praise for concerts performed on the invitation of the Toronto Music Festival, the city of Salzburg and others.

In addition to recitals, Ohtani has performed with many renowned orchestras from Japan and other countries, including NHK Symphony Orchestra (Tokyo), the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, the Slovakia Philharmonic, and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. She received a great deal of attention for her unprecedented achievement of performing, in a single day, two concerts of four violin concertos each. Since 2017 she has been invited each year to appear with the Kiev Philharmonic. In May of 2019, she carried out a 12-city Japan tour with the outstanding pianist Itamar Golan, earning excellent reviews.