2nd Para International Music Competition Judge
Masahiro Kawakami
Masahiro Kawakami
Born in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Graduated from Tokyo College of Music, Piano Performance Course, and the City University of Music and Arts Vienna at the top of his class. He has performed in Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Croatia, and other European countries.
He has appeared on NHK’s “Classical Music Hall,” “Masterpieces Album,” “Recital of Masterpieces,” and many other TV and radio broadcasts.
He has released 11 CDs, including “Balakirev & Scriabin” and “Kapustin Piano Works 1-3. He is regarded as one of the world’s foremost exponents and performers of Nikolai Kapustin.
He is also a score reviser. As a score reviser, he has published more than 50 scores from Zen Ongaku Publishing, Schott, and other publishers.
He is the author of “Kapustin: Opening New Doors in Piano Music” and “Piano Performance Methods Beyond the Limits” (Yamaha Music Media).
He is also known as the teacher who taught Nobuyuki Tsujii, the pianist who won the Van Cliburn Competition in 2009, for 12 years. He has also been featured in NHK’s “Close-Up Today,” BS Asahi’s “Nobuyuki Tsujii in the World: 10 Years of Opening the Door to Miracles,” and many other media programs.
He has been invited to teach master classes abroad, including at the Perugia Music Festival in Italy and the Vienna VIP Academy, and to serve as a juror for competitions in Japan and abroad. He is also active in many other fields, giving public lectures and lessons, lecturing, and writing. He is an associate professor at the Tokyo College of Music.
He has appeared on NHK’s “Classical Music Hall,” “Masterpieces Album,” “Recital of Masterpieces,” and many other TV and radio broadcasts.
He has released 11 CDs, including “Balakirev & Scriabin” and “Kapustin Piano Works 1-3. He is regarded as one of the world’s foremost exponents and performers of Nikolai Kapustin.
He is also a score reviser. As a score reviser, he has published more than 50 scores from Zen Ongaku Publishing, Schott, and other publishers.
He is the author of “Kapustin: Opening New Doors in Piano Music” and “Piano Performance Methods Beyond the Limits” (Yamaha Music Media).
He is also known as the teacher who taught Nobuyuki Tsujii, the pianist who won the Van Cliburn Competition in 2009, for 12 years. He has also been featured in NHK’s “Close-Up Today,” BS Asahi’s “Nobuyuki Tsujii in the World: 10 Years of Opening the Door to Miracles,” and many other media programs.
He has been invited to teach master classes abroad, including at the Perugia Music Festival in Italy and the Vienna VIP Academy, and to serve as a juror for competitions in Japan and abroad. He is also active in many other fields, giving public lectures and lessons, lecturing, and writing. He is an associate professor at the Tokyo College of Music.
| How do you see the significance of the competition?
Above all, a competition is an opportunity to publicly express what you have in front of others. It is also the best opportunity to showcase yourself in front of many people you have never met before. It is also a place where you can test yourself and see how much of what you have worked hard to accumulate can come out. It is also significant in that it is an opportunity to connect yourself with the world, rather than just practicing at home by yourself.
| What kind of music appeals to you?
If the music strongly expresses the feelings that the person performing wants to convey, it will be appealing. If you practice well, refine what you want to express, and then give a heartfelt performance, it will be attractive to the audience.
| What are the key points of the screening process?
I think it is important what kind of music you choose. If the performance makes good use of your abilities and expressiveness, I think it will win the hearts of many people. Another important point is how much emotion is conveyed through the performance. I also hope that you will aim for your own level of perfection.
| Please give a shout out to those who are considering participating in the Para International Music Competition!
I believe that competitions are special occasions unlike when you are practicing alone. This is the best opportunity for you, so I hope that you will make efforts in various aspects to maximize what you have in preparation for the competition. Please make the most of this precious opportunity for your personal growth.
If you have any questions about the competition, please contact us at the e-mail address below.
info@para-artist.org
If you have any questions about the competition, please contact us at the e-mail address below.
info@para-artist.org
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