Ikuyo Nakamichi is one of Japan’s most sought-after pianists. In music she finds the divine, the intimate—even empathy—and can uniquely infuse them into the sound and expression of the piano. Her wide-ranging repertoire includes a special focus on the works of Beethoven. She has performed six full cycles of and recorded all the Piano Sonatas and all the Piano Concertos with the Deutsch Kammerphilharmonie Bremen under the baton of Paavo Järvi.
Years living as a teenager in the United States greatly influenced Nakamichi’s personality as a musician. Later study in Germany enhanced her deep appreciation of European traditions in classical music. Ultimately it may be the attention to detail and subtle nuance that her Japanese heritage brings to her playing that attracts people to her concert and recorded performances.
Among the numerous awards Nakamichi has won are the top prize in the 42nd Geneva International Music Competition, First Prize at the Felix Mendelssohn Competition and the Fifth Prize in the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium. In 2005 she performed with the English Chamber Orchestra to high acclaim for a wedding celebration concert at Windsor Castle held in honor of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.