Yasuko Ohtani

In 2025, Yasuko Ohtani celebrates the 50th anniversary of her debut. One of Japan’s most popular and talented violinists, Ohtani is known as the “singing violinist” for her vivid stage presence and deeply musical performances that move and delight audiences. In January 2025, she gave a 50th anniversary concert at Suntory Hall. In May, she will hold a tour throughout Japan to celebrate her 50th anniversary (piano: Itamar Golan / 14 performances in all).

Ohtani graduated from and completed her doctoral studies at Tokyo University of the Arts and its graduate school. She began her solo career while in school, and was invited to perform in recitals in Vienna, Rome, Cologne, Berlin and other cities, as well as the Toronto Music Festival and the city of Salzburg, where she received outstanding reviews. She also served as principal concertmaster of the Tokyo City Philharmonic. In addition, Ohtani served as solo concertmaster of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, of which she was later awarded the title of Honorary Concertmaster.

In addition to recitals, Ohtani has performed with many famous orchestras, including the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Philharmonic, Slovak Philharmonic, and Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. She was also the focus of much attention when she achieved the unprecedented feat of performing, in a single day, two concerts of four violin concertos each. The Kyiv National Philharmonic Orchestra has invited her to perform with them every year since 2017. (The appearances have been interrupted due to the current situation.) In May 2019, a nationwide concert tour in 12 cities was held with the talented pianist Itamar Golan and was exceptionally well received.

Yasuko Ohtani’s latest CD is a collection of masterpieces with French spirit, recorded with Itamar Golan. Her many other CD releases include the best-selling “La Traviata Fantasy” (Sony) and a recording of R. Strauss/Beethoven Sonata No. 5 (piano: Itamar Golan). She wrote the book “Violinist: Running Today Too!” (published by Kadokawa). Active in many fields, she hosts and performs with Shunputei Koasa on BS TV Tokyo’s “Ongaku Kousaten” (aired every Saturday at 8 a.m).

She received the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Arts Festival Award.”

Ohtani is a professor at Tokyo College of Music, a former visiting professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, and a special professor at Tokyo University of the Arts Junior Academy. She serves as Chair of the Nerima Ward Promotion Cultural Association, Kawasaki City Cultural Ambassador, Kochi Prefecture Tourism Ambassador, Director of the Japan Symphony Foundation, and Director of the Japan Federation of Musicians.
She owns and plays a Pietro Guarneri violin (made in 1708), and also plays a Stradivarius “Lord Newlands” (made in 1702), on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation.

Official website: https://www.yasukoohtani.com
[Official YouTube] “Yasuko Otani’s Yakko Channel” (Performance videos are posted frequently!)

Curriculum Vitae as of April 2025