Biography

Yuki Ito, described as “world-class talent” by major international critiques, won 1st prize at both the International Brahms Competition in Austria in 2010 and the UK’s most prestigious Windsor Festival International String Competition in 2011.

The same year he made his début with the Philharmonia Orchestra, and has since performed as soloist with many renowned orchestras and artists including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Seiji Ozawa, David Geringas and Julian Lloyd Webber. In 2016 he gave NHK Japan’s worldwide TV broadcast recital to commemorate the 120th birth of legendary author Kenji Miyazawa, whose centennial anniversary soloist was Yo-Yo Ma.

He is especially noted for his performance and interpretation of Rachmaninov’s works; he will give All-Rachmaninov-Recital at Wigmore Hall in 2018 as the first ever cellist in history, and his début album “Rachmaninov Complete Cello Works” is receiving critical acclaim internationally, chosen as Recommended Disc by The Strad UK describing “Ito triumphs in Rachmaninov…Sensational recital”.

His global recital invitations also include Royal Festival Hall (Pre-Recital to Lorin Maazel) and Royal Albert Hall, as well as a private recital personally invited by HRH The Prince Edward, and important venues in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. In 2015 he visited Republic of Angola twice to guide an orchestra, and led them to success in their Japan Tour the following year.

His second album “The Romantic” for Sony Music label released in 2017 was chosen as Recommended Disc by Record Geijutsu Japan. He has been Artistic Director of Knightsbridge Philharmonic since 2013, and a radio presenter of his own show “Yuki Ito The Romantic” on every Sunday and Friday on Classical Music Internet Radio OTTAVA (available worldwide) since 2018.  He studied with Alexander Boyarsky and David Geringas, and graduated from the Royal College of Music in 2015.

He plays a Goffriller cello made in 1734, kindly loaned to him by Nippon Violin.

Musicians’ Company Award: Allcard Fund Award 2013

Page Last Updated: April 2018