Vita/  Tomoko Ogasawara (Pianist)

After studying at the State University of the Arts in Tokyo, where she was born, the pianist Tomoko Ogasawara continued her studies in Germany at the University of the Arts in Berlin and the University of Music in Freiburg in Breisgau. In Freiburg she received the solo diploma with honors and went on to win 1st Prize in the Competition for German Conservatories. Her teachers include Georg Sava, Tibor Hazay and Georgy Sebok; all of whom influenced her artistic development and led her to early successes in international competitions such as “Maria Canals” (Barcelona) and “ Clara Haskil” (Montreux).

Since then concert engagements have taken Tomoko Ogasawara to the major concert halls throughout the world, such as Berlin, Montreux, London, Paris, Tokyo, Jerusalem, Bangkok, Shanghai. She has played concerts together with Albrecht Mayer, Jörg Widmann and Tabea Zimmermann among other internationally acclaimed artists. Ogasawara regularly plays with the principal and leading musicians of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra and the SWR Orchestra in chamber music settings. Being a major player in the context of said chamber music, she has a wide range of ensembles such as the piano trio “Franconia”, the mixed ensemble “Abraxas” and at international festivals such as “Affinis” in Japan where she was privileged to receive positive acclaim. Another regular ensemble of Ogasawara is her collaboration with the pianist Cristian Petrescu with whom she has performed at the Philharmonic in Berlin and other major venues.

As a soloist Ogasawara has played with, among others, the Symphony Orchestra Berlin, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, and the Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Bamberg. She has been featured in numerous radio broadcasts as well as on countless CD recordings. Ogasawara performed the complete cycle of piano sonatas by W. A. Mozart through the year for the composers 250th birth anniversary.

Currently Tomoko Ogasawara passes on her musical experience through the teaching position she holds at the University of Music in Freiburg im Breisgau. She is also active by giving regular master classes in Tokyo, Yokohama, and at the international summer academy “Musicalta” in Alsace/France.
Students of hers have won prizes in both national and international competitions.