BIOGRAPHY

Mitsuru Yamakawa was born in Sendai(Japan) in 1U8U.

He is Pianist,the member of Piano Duo «Ma Corde d’Arc» and the Professor of «Piano Study Peformance Course» at Sanritsu Music School which is YAMAHA official dealer, in Japan.

He studied piano in 4 countries at The Tokyo College of Music (Japan), The Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw (Poland), The Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot (France), and The Friedrich Gulda School of Music in Vienna (Austria).

Especially he graduated at The Friedrich Gulda School of Music in Vienna with Honors with Distinction.

After graduating from these school, Mitsuru worked as an assistant of Prof. P. Raskin at the Interpretation School of Music in Kraainem (Belgium).

Then,he was invited as a teacher of the masterclass at ≪British School Al Khubairat≫ in Abu Dhabi.

Also Mitsuru is regularly invited as a guests teacher for the Piano Performance Lecture of Japan Electone Teachers Association.

Mitsuru is invited as a member of jury at several international and national competitions such as « César Franck International Piano Competition »(Belgium),«Cyprus International Music Competition »(Cyprus), «Basel International Online Junior Music Competition», «Supraleitung Methode Japan®Piano Concours»,«Yamaha Junior Piano Competition », «Brugmuller Competition »,«Japan Classic Music Competition »(Japan) etc.

Mitsuru plays all over the world as a Solo Pianist and Piano Duo «Ma Corde d’Arc » in Japan, France, Italy, Poland, Austria, Belgium,Croatia, United Arab Emirates such as an important halls : Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara,Rokkatei Fukinoto Hall,Ginza Yamaha concert salon,French Embassy in Japan,The Windsor Hotel TOYA(Japan),Salle Cortot, Kawai France Showroom,Jean Jacques- Henner National Museum( France), Tadinia Academy Concert Hall, Basilica Santa Maria in Valvendra (Italy), Paderewski Music School Concert Hall (Poland), Ehlber Saal (Austria), Jakova Gotovca Concert Hall, Josip Hatze Music School Concert Hall (Croatia), Steinway &Sons Dubai Concert Hall(Dubai) etc.

Mitsuru also plays regularly with orchestra, among others the « Tarnow Chamber Orchestra » (Poland).

Also,He was invited as a Piano Duo «Ma Corde d’Arc » for the closing ceremony gala concert of « César Franck International Piano Competition »

He has given such a critics below by great pianists,professors etc.

« I have known Mitsuru Yamakawa for several years and he is a fantastic young pianist with a great talent and very dedicated personality. I keep a moving memory of many of his performances, among others Ravel « oiseaux tristes » with a magic sound and deep sensitivity, Mendelssohn « variations sérieuses » full of energy and control, and Brahms Intermezzi opus 117 with fantastic sense of structure and profound feelings.

Next to his remarkable musical qualities, Mitsuru has also great human qualities and his humility and sweet personality has made it always a real pleasure to work with him and for his friends and colleagues to be around him.

I want to testify here that I am very confident that Mitsuru Yamakawa has a great future as pianist and teacher.»

Philippe Raskin — “Pianist,Artistic Director at César Franck International Piano Competition Artistic Director at IMF Paris International Piano Competition Professor at Friedrich Gulda School of Music Wien Professor at Talent Music Master Courses University of Music.”

«I have heard Mitsuru Yamakawa several times in concert and his musical and artistic talent is indeed as impressive as it is original. The rhythmic vitality in sonatas of Beethoven and Prokofiev, the poignant and nostalgic accents of Brahms and Mendelssohn and the wide variety of colors in Debussy make the performances of Mitsuru Yamakawa profound artistic experiences»

Michael WLADKOWSKI — “Pianist and Professor of piano Ecole Normale de Paris “Alfred Cortot” « The brilliant Mitsuru Yamakawa, was a resounding success. Presented by House of Pianos, the event showcased Yamakawa’s extraordinary talent, captivating the audience with his dynamic and emotive performance.

Steinway & Sons Dubai — HOUSE OF PIANOS UAE

Mitsuru Yamakawa won the 1st Prize and « Grand Prix » at The Cyprus International Music Competition 2022 (Cyprus), a 1st Absolute Prize at the « Smederevo International Piano Competition » (Serbia), a 1st Prize at « Silkway International Music Competition Alexander Scriabin » (Russia), a 2nd Prize at the « Paris International Music Competition» (France), a 2nd Prize at « Danubia Talents Liszt International Music Competition» (Hungary) , a 2nd Prize at « Beethoven International Music Competition for Young Musicians Vienna» (Austria), a special Prize « Diplôme de Mérite » at « Lyon International Piano Competition » (France) » and 4 Prizes at « Excellence Piano Awards International Competition » among others the best « Rachmaninov Prize ».

In addition, he is prize winner of many other piano competitions, such as Chatou International Piano Competition “Cecil Edel Latos”, the Grand International Piano Competition “Svetlana Eganian” (France), Caneres International Music Competition Vienna,BTHVN Wien Music Competition (Austria), Cittta di Saint Dona di Piave International Piano Competition (Italy), London Classical International Music Competition(UK). In total, Mitsuru Yamakawa won prizes in more than 10 international piano competitions.

In January 2023, he present the world premiere of “Furusato” (Teiichi Okano) arranged by composer Tetsuya Yamamoto dedicated for Mitsuru Yamakawa.

In May 2024,he present the world premiere of “Jardin miniature brillant “ for piano 4 hands composed by Tetsuya Yamamoto dedicated for Piano Duo “Ma Corde D’Arc”.

In August 2025,he will present Japan premiere of “Mirrage” for piano composed by David Chaillou.

As a teacher his students are becoming prizewinner of piano competitions such as:

«César Franck International Piano Competition », «Franz Liszt Center Piano Competition»,«Amigdara International Music Competition»,« Smederevo International Piano Competition », « Danubia Talents International Music Competition», «Cyprus International Music Competition», «Brugmuller Competition »,«KAWAI Piano Competition» etc…

Mitsuru Yamakawa studied piano with several Professors: Hironao Suzuki, Ramiro Sanjines, Jerzy Romaniuk, Guigla Katsarava, Michael Wladkowski and Philippe Raskin. He also studied chamber music with Cloud Lelong and Elisaveta Lisa Koroleva.

He took several masterclasses by: Masahi Katayama, A. Rossler, A. Florich, G. Nader, J. Domanska, J.P. Collard, K. Tkacewski, L. Morales, N. Trull, R. Andres, S.Fiuzzi, S. Eganian, V. Bonnecaze, V. Balzani, Vovka Ashkenazy, O. Kern, etc.