Yuki Ito (cellist)

Yuki Ito
伊藤 悠貴
GenresClassical
OccupationCellist
WebsiteJapan Arts Artist Page

Yuki Ito (伊藤 悠貴, Itō Yūki) is a Japanese classical cellist, based in London and Tokyo. He is particularly noted for his interpretations of Sergei Rachmaninoff's works, in particular the Cello Sonata. In 2025 he became the first Japanese cellist to join the international roster of Larsen Strings Artist.[1]

Biography

His debut album, Sergei Rachmaninoff : Complete Cello Works, with pianist Sofya Gulyak released in 2012 October, was selected as The Strad magazine's "Recommended Disc[2] and in 2023 he published his first book: a monograph "Thoughts on Rachmaninoff" commemorating the composer's 150th birth anniversary.[3]

Yuki Ito made his debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra at Windsor Castle in England in 2011. Praised by The Strad as "sensational" and for his "commanding technique and masterfully assured delivery of melody", he has performed around the globe making a multifaceted career, from an "All Rachmaninoff Recital" at Wigmore Hall in London (given for the first time in its history by a cellist) to the world-premiere of Johan de Meij’s Cello Concerto "Casanova" (orchestral version) at Suntory Hall with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of the composer himself.[4]

He has been invited to give masterclass by conservatoires such as Academy of Music (Ljubljana) in Slovenia, and in 2025 he served as the youngest chairman of the jury at International Music Competition "FLAME" in Paris.[5]

Yuki Ito was awarded the "Hideo Saito Memorial Award" in 2019 (given by Seiji Ozawa and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi), one of the most honourable music awards in Japan, for his service to music.[6]

In 2025 he became the first Japanese cellist to join the international roster of Larsen Strings Artist. Other artists on the roster include David Geringas, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Daniel Müller-Schott, Sol Gabetta, Gautier Capuçon, and Julia Fischer.[7]

He plays the "Maragarites" cello by Paolo Antonio Testore (Milan, c.1755).[8]

Discography

  • Sergei Rachmaninoff : Complete Cello Works (2012 / Champs Hill Records CHRCD-044)
  • The Romantic (Anthology) (2017 / Sony Music MECO-1045)
  • Yuki Ito / Kazuhiro Gambe : Complete Songs (2020 / Diskart DACD-201)
  • Adagio : Ensemble of loneliness (Multi-track recording) (2021 / King Record KICC-1587)
  • Casanova : Complete works by Johan de Meij for Cello, Harp and Orchestra (2024 / AMSTEL CLASSICS CD 2024-01)

Bibliography

  • Monograph "Thoughts on Rachmaninoff" commemorating the composer's 150th birth anniversary (2023 / Keigado Publishing Co.)

Prizes

  • 2000: Overall winner, Sapporo Junior Cello Competition
  • 2001: Gold medal, Osaka Junior Cello Competition (3rd Category – 13&under)
  • 2003: Gold medal, Osaka Junior Cello Competition (2nd Category – 17&under)
  • 2003: 1st prize, Japan Performer Competition
  • 2006: 1st prize, 6th Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition
  • 2007: 1st prize, Marlow International Music Competition
  • 2008: 2nd prize & Audience prize, 77th Music Competition of Japan
  • 2009: 1st prize, 20th Paris FLAME International Music Competition
  • 2010: 1st prize, 17th International Johannes Brahms Competition
  • 2011: 1st prize, 3rd Windsor Festival International String Competition
  • 2012: 1st prize, 14th Young Concert Artists European Audition / Special prize, 53rd Young Concert Artists New York Audition
  • 2019: The 17th Hideo Saito Memorial Award, given by Seiji Ozawa and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi

Conducting

  • Artistic Director/Principal Conductor of Knightsbridge Philharmonic Orchestra since 2013[9]

See also

References

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