Yoshie Akimoto
Yoshie Akimoto (Steinway Artist)
Born in Japan, pianist Yoshie Akimoto’s concert career began in her native Japan at age ten when she won the All-Japan NHK Student Competition. She was a student of Teiichi Higashi. At 13 as a last minute substitute, she made her debut with the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra giving the Japan Premiere of Mozart’s Concerto K. 415. With no piano score available she composed her own cadenza which stunned the audience. She quickly established herself as a gifted young artist performing concerts throughout Japan and on radio and television.
Ms. Akimoto came to the United States for further study at the Juilliard School of Music. James Friskin, who became her first teacher, wrote of his experience at Miss Akimoto’s entrance exam: “One in particular who stood out in my memory was a student from the Orient. I gave her the highest possible score which was unique in my entire teaching career.” In her first two years at Juilliard, she was a winner in the school’s Emperor Concerto competition and took first prize in the International J.S. Bach Competition in Washington DC. Following the passing of James Friskin, she began her studies with Sascha Gorodnitzsky. She further studied and performed under Guido Agosti of the Acadamia Chigiana, Siena, Italy. Following her schooling, she concertized in the U.S ., Japan and Europe. Her performances were endowed with passion and intensity and received with great enthusiasmWhen her daughter, Allison Eldredge, was three years old, Ms. Akimoto began devoting herself to her daughter's training, as well as nurturing other young pianists. As her daughter's international career as a concert cellist emerged, a unique mother-daughter duo was born. Their collaboration thrilled audiences around the globe in recitals, including those at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam; Moscow Conservatory Hall; Queen Elizabeth Hall in London; in Haifa, Israel; Casals Hall and Suntory Hall in Tokyo; Symphony Hall in Osaka; other major cities in Japan; at the Phillips Collection and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC; Ravinia in Chicago; at Royce Hall in Los Angeles; at the Cleveland Museum of Art; and in San Francisco Symphony Hall. They recently made their seventh tour of Japan.Together, the Eldredge-Akimoto Duo have recorded for Canyon Classics and Denon labels, A Chopin and Faure disc and a collection of Showpieces for cello and piano. Their radio and television appearances include ABC’s Good Morning America, WQXR Artist Showcase, Boston's WGBH " Live Performances", U.S. Cable Television Stations, on NHK radio and television in Japan, and a concert broadcast from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
As an active soloist and chamber musician, Ms. Akimoto has appeared at various music festivals including the Johanessen International Music Festival in British Columbia, Canada and is a faculty member of the Killington Music Festival in Vermont and Vianden Music Festival in Luxembourg. She is a frequent guest at universities and conservatories, including The Juilliard School, for Master Classes and individual coaching. She has additionally served as judge at various national and international competitions. Ms. Akimoto directs the Akimoto Piano Studio in Southern California, New York, and Connecticut from which many prize winning students have emerged. Her students are accepted each year in the most presitious conservatories, including Juilliard, Curtis, Manhattan, Peabody and others.
Ms. Akimoto came to the United States for further study at the Juilliard School of Music. James Friskin, who became her first teacher, wrote of his experience at Miss Akimoto’s entrance exam: “One in particular who stood out in my memory was a student from the Orient. I gave her the highest possible score which was unique in my entire teaching career.” In her first two years at Juilliard, she was a winner in the school’s Emperor Concerto competition and took first prize in the International J.S. Bach Competition in Washington DC. Following the passing of James Friskin, she began her studies with Sascha Gorodnitzsky. She further studied and performed under Guido Agosti of the Acadamia Chigiana, Siena, Italy. Following her schooling, she concertized in the U.S ., Japan and Europe. Her performances were endowed with passion and intensity and received with great enthusiasmWhen her daughter, Allison Eldredge, was three years old, Ms. Akimoto began devoting herself to her daughter's training, as well as nurturing other young pianists. As her daughter's international career as a concert cellist emerged, a unique mother-daughter duo was born. Their collaboration thrilled audiences around the globe in recitals, including those at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam; Moscow Conservatory Hall; Queen Elizabeth Hall in London; in Haifa, Israel; Casals Hall and Suntory Hall in Tokyo; Symphony Hall in Osaka; other major cities in Japan; at the Phillips Collection and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC; Ravinia in Chicago; at Royce Hall in Los Angeles; at the Cleveland Museum of Art; and in San Francisco Symphony Hall. They recently made their seventh tour of Japan.Together, the Eldredge-Akimoto Duo have recorded for Canyon Classics and Denon labels, A Chopin and Faure disc and a collection of Showpieces for cello and piano. Their radio and television appearances include ABC’s Good Morning America, WQXR Artist Showcase, Boston's WGBH " Live Performances", U.S. Cable Television Stations, on NHK radio and television in Japan, and a concert broadcast from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
As an active soloist and chamber musician, Ms. Akimoto has appeared at various music festivals including the Johanessen International Music Festival in British Columbia, Canada and is a faculty member of the Killington Music Festival in Vermont and Vianden Music Festival in Luxembourg. She is a frequent guest at universities and conservatories, including The Juilliard School, for Master Classes and individual coaching. She has additionally served as judge at various national and international competitions. Ms. Akimoto directs the Akimoto Piano Studio in Southern California, New York, and Connecticut from which many prize winning students have emerged. Her students are accepted each year in the most presitious conservatories, including Juilliard, Curtis, Manhattan, Peabody and others.
Steinway Artist
Listen to Live Performances |
Rachmaninoff |
Rachmaninoff |
J.S. Bach - English Suite no.6, D minor |
| Prelude |
| Allemande |
| Courante |
| Sarabande |
| Double |
| Gavotte 1. |
| Gavotte 2. |
| Gavotte 1. |
| Gigue |
|
| Brahms Capriccio Op.76 No.2 |
| Brahms Intermezzo Op.118 No.8 E Flat minor. |
Chopin |
| Chopin Concerto No.1 E Minor Romanze Larghetto. |
Beethoven - Sonata Op.81 Les Adieux. |
| Adagio Allegro |
| Andante Espressivo |
| Vivacissimamente |
| Ravel - Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit |
Duo Alison Eldredge, Cello. Yoshi Akimoto, Piano. |
| Prologue |
| Moderement anime |
| Finale: Anime |
Chopin - Introduction et polonaise Brillante Op.3 |
| Rachmaninoff - Vocalise Op.34 No.14 |
Schumann - Adagio and Allegro Op.70 |
| Franck - Sonata (Concertgebouw, Amsterdam) |
| Allegro ben moderato |
| Allegro |
| Recitativo Fantasia |
| Allegretto Poco Mosso |
