品川聖

Rococo playfulness, French sweetness, and an enigmatic mood—Shin-ichiro Nakano develops the evocative world of these unique and diverse works with fluid, increasingly mature expression and occasional glimpses of playfulness, imbuing them with depth and freshness. Shin’ichiro Nakano, clavecin Born in Kyoto in 1964, Shin’ichiro Nakano graduated from the Toho Gakuen School of Music in 1986, where he majored in early music performance. In 1990, he was awarded the Gold Prize at the Osaka Cultural Festival for his ambitious four-night solo recital series, A Journey Through European Harpsichord Music. His international reputation was cemented in 1991 after performing in the Couperin Cycle at the Versailles Early Music Festival in France; there, he was named one of the "Nine World-Class Harpsichordists," standing alongside the most distinguished masters of Europe and America. In 1992, he became the youngest soloist invited to the Berkeley Early Music Festival. Since then, he has continued to tour extensively throughout Europe, including appearances at Wigmore Hall (UK), the BBC Japan Season, the Leipzig Bach Festival (Germany), and in the Czech Republic. His performances have garnered widespread acclaim, described by critics as "an exceptional harpsichordist" and "a feast for the ears." Nakano has also earned a formidable reputation for his long-standing dedication to J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Critics have lauded his artistry, stating: "One is deeply moved by his sincere approach, depicting the world of each variation as faithfully as possible," and "Considering the legacy of his predecessors, Nakano’s interpretation—firmly grounded and resolute—carries immense conviction." His maturing interpretations continue to be highly anticipated by the musical community. His discography has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, including the 38th Record Academy Award for the Goldberg Variations (2000), the 22nd Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Award (2003), the Grand Prize at the Arts Festival of the Agency for Cultural Affairs (2004), and the 47th Record Academy Award for The Queen’s Altar: Works by Purcell (2009). In 2010, he published the first harpsichord method book in Japanese, Let’s Play the Harpsichord: Masterpieces for Starting Your Dream Instrument (Ongaku No Tomo Sha). In July 2020, he launched a significant long-term recording project of the Complete Works of François Couperin at Salamanca Hall in Gifu Prefecture. Beyond his recordings, his lecture-recitals—featuring a broad repertoire and engaging commentary—are immensely popular across Japan. He is currently dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians, teaching at the Kyoto City University of Arts, Nagoya College of Music, and Osaka College of Music. Instrument: French double-manual harpsichord by Atelier von Nagel (1988), after Blanchet (1730).

Rococo playfulness, French sweetness, and an enigmatic mood—Shin-ichiro Nakano develops the evocative world of these unique and diverse works with fluid, increasingly mature expression and occasional glimpses of playfulness, imbuing them with depth and freshness. Shin’ichiro Nakano, clavecin Born in Kyoto in 1964, Shin’ichiro Nakano graduated from the Toho Gakuen School of Music in 1986, where he majored in early music performance. In 1990, he was awarded the Gold Prize at the Osaka Cultural Festival for his ambitious four-night solo recital series, A Journey Through European Harpsichord Music. His international reputation was cemented in 1991 after performing in the Couperin Cycle at the Versailles Early Music Festival in France; there, he was named one of the "Nine World-Class Harpsichordists," standing alongside the most distinguished masters of Europe and America. In 1992, he became the youngest soloist invited to the Berkeley Early Music Festival. Since then, he has continued to tour extensively throughout Europe, including appearances at Wigmore Hall (UK), the BBC Japan Season, the Leipzig Bach Festival (Germany), and in the Czech Republic. His performances have garnered widespread acclaim, described by critics as "an exceptional harpsichordist" and "a feast for the ears." Nakano has also earned a formidable reputation for his long-standing dedication to J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Critics have lauded his artistry, stating: "One is deeply moved by his sincere approach, depicting the world of each variation as faithfully as possible," and "Considering the legacy of his predecessors, Nakano’s interpretation—firmly grounded and resolute—carries immense conviction." His maturing interpretations continue to be highly anticipated by the musical community. His discography has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, including the 38th Record Academy Award for the Goldberg Variations (2000), the 22nd Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Award (2003), the Grand Prize at the Arts Festival of the Agency for Cultural Affairs (2004), and the 47th Record Academy Award for The Queen’s Altar: Works by Purcell (2009). In 2010, he published the first harpsichord method book in Japanese, Let’s Play the Harpsichord: Masterpieces for Starting Your Dream Instrument (Ongaku No Tomo Sha). In July 2020, he launched a significant long-term recording project of the Complete Works of François Couperin at Salamanca Hall in Gifu Prefecture. Beyond his recordings, his lecture-recitals—featuring a broad repertoire and engaging commentary—are immensely popular across Japan. He is currently dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians, teaching at the Kyoto City University of Arts, Nagoya College of Music, and Osaka College of Music. Instrument: French double-manual harpsichord by Atelier von Nagel (1988), after Blanchet (1730).