Noriko Uenaka
Concert pianist Noriko Uenaka is a prizewinner of many international
competitions. She has received second prize in the E.R. Stepanow in Austria,
third prize in the Viotti-Valsesia in Italy, and third prize in the Bosendorfer
Competition in Austria She has been awarded diplomas from numerous
competitions, including Beethoven (Austria), Maria Canals (Spain), Busoni
(Italy), ABC Music Awards (Japan), and Tokyo Cultural Hall (Japan).
Most recently, Ms. Uenaka has appeared in recitals and concertos with orchestras in major cities of Japan, Austria ands Italy.
Noriko Uenaka graduated from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music (Geidai School), where she received her bachelorÕs and masterÕs degrees. During her masterÕs program at the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music, Ms. Uenaka went to Vienna, Austria to continue further studies at the Hochschule fur Musik in Vienna (Vienna Academy) and graduated from the SchoolÕs bachelorÕs program with top honors. She completed her MasterÕs degree upon returning to Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music.
Ms. Uenaka studied with Hideo Usui, Hitoshi Toyama, Reiko Matsuzaki, Carmen Graf-Adnet and Ryoko Fukasawa. She is currently on the faculty at the Toride-Shoyo music high school in Japan and regularly serves as a judge in piano competitions in Japan. She is also a producer of her regular concert series.
A Brief Conversation with Noriko Uenaka
Concert pianist Noriko Uenaka took time away from her busy rehearsal
and concert schedule to answer our questions about her life as a professional
musician.
Ms. Uenaka will be performing in the Aloha International Piano Festival
opening night concert, which is free and open to the public.
What inspired you to become a musician?
My mother is a music-pedagogic teacher. And, my younger sister is a violinist.
What keeps you inspired on discouraging days?
When I feel tired of practicing, I go shopping.
What is the most memorable performance you have ever seen and why?
Brams Symphony No. 2 Š by Carlos Kleiber and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
in 1991.
If you could perform with any musician, living or dead, who would
it be?
If possible, I would like to play with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau - Franz
SchubertÕs Lied cycle ŅWinterreise.Ó (EditorÕs note: Singer
and conductor Fischer-Dieskau is one of the most famous lieder
singers of his generation.)
If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
Violin. Because I would like to play in orchestra.
If you could not be a musician, what other profession would you
choose?
I imagine I would be a junior high school or high school teacher.
What do you listen to for inspiration?
I often listen to orchestra-music during my drive. And, I like to see ballet.