Akira Wakabayashi, Piano

Biography

The technique and artistry of pianist Akira Wakabayashi have won him praise
from the critics and audiences alike. 
In Holland, Dutch critics lauded him after his performances of Beethoven's
Piano Concert No. 1 with the Limburg Symphony Orchestra (December 1999), and in
January 2001, listeners received him with great enthusiasm at the Göteborg
Symphony Orchestra.  In March 2001, Mr.
Wakabayashi performed a successful recital at the Amorina Piano Recital series
in Stockholm before joining the Russian National Symphony Orchestra under the
baton of Vladimir Spivakov on their Japan tour the same year.  In February 2004, he participated in the Nantes
Festival, France.

Akira Wakabayashi studied at the Tokyo
National University of Fine Arts and Music, and at the Mozarteum Academy, from
which he graduated in 1990.  He
completed his graduate studies in 1994 at the Hochschule der Künste
Berlin. 

He won second prize both at the 1985 F.
Busoni International Piano Competition and the 1987 Queen Elisabeth
International Music Competition in Belgium. 
His recognition at these competitions brought prominence and travel,
including solo recitals at the Palais des Beaux-Arts of Brussels, and Italy's
Stresa Festival. 

Further highlights in his activities
since 1991 include performances with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra , conducted
by Jukka-Pekka Saraste, the Vienna Oktett, the Pasdelous Orchestra in Paris'
Salle Pleyel, as well as duo recitals with cellists Nobuko Yamazaki and Steven
Isserlis, oboist François Leleux, Radek Baborak on the French Horn, and most
recently with clarinetist Karl Leister.

In 1997, Mr. Wakabayashi became a Live Notes
label recording artist, releasing his first two Live Notes CDs, Brahms' Variation and Fugue on a Theme by
Händel and Rachmaninoff Recital Live
In Kioi Hall.  He has also released Brahms: Piano Sonatas No 1 and No 2 in
July 1999, and a collection of works by Franck, Fauré and Brahms.