Photo: Johannes Ifkovits
Danjulo Ishizaka
"Danjulo Ishizaka is no longer just a talent but a true musical personality. His technical potential is phenomenal and he impresses with imaginative and spontaneous tone-colors and intelligent phrasing."
Sueddeutsche Zeitung
The German-Japanese cellist, born in 1979, received his first cello lessons at the age of four. After completing studies with Hans Christian Schweiker, he spent time in the United States at Indiana University. Boris Pergamenschikov, with whom he studied from 1998 until 2004 at the Hanns Eisler Conservatory in Berlin, was a fundamental influence. From 2004 to 2006 Ishizaka continued his studies at the Conservatory with Antje Weithaas and Tabea Zimmermann; he has also been strongly influenced by Bernhard Greenhouse, György Kurtág, Menahem Pressler and the Amadeus Quartet.
After previously being awarded 1st prizes at the 1998 international Gaspar Cassado cello competition in Spain and the 1999 International Lutoslawski cello competition in Warsaw, Danjulo Ishizaka also won the 1st prize at the renowned ARD international music competition in Munich, Germany. In 2002, he claimed the Grand Prix Emanuel Feuermann of the Kronberg Academy and the UDK in Berlin - this competition, under the patronage of Daniel Barenboim, was created in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the legendary cellist. Most recently Danjulo Ishizaka was honored with the Prix Young Artist of the Year for "virtuosity, exceptional musicianship and artistic charisma".
Based in Germany, Danjulo Ishizaka made his international breakthrough in November 2003, playing concerts in the Musikverein in Vienna with the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Krzysztof Penderecki. Following a performance at Frankfurt's Alte Oper, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted "Genius breaks new ground". Since then Ishizaka has been busy performing around the world with leading orchestras and at renowned festivals. Recent successes have included a tour of Japan with the NHK Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Roger Norrington, a European tour with the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra as well as his debut performance with the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester and his debut at Carnegie Hall. Ishizaka’s collaboration with Sony Classical underscores the extraordinary success of this young artist. For his debut CD Ishizaka recorded sonatas by Britten, Franck and Mendelssohn-Bartholdy with pianist Martin Helmchen, in 2006 the disc awarded the "Echo Klassik" award of the Germany Phono Acadamy.
Beyond his activities as a soloist, Ishizaka also enjoys performing chamber music, collaborating with well known artists including Gidon Kremer, Christoph Poppen, Julia Fischer, Lars Vogt, Tabea Zimmermann and Elena Bashkirova with the Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival Ensemble.
The current season features Ishizaka performing with Mstislav Rostropovich, a tour with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Slatkin, appearances with Sinfonietta Cracovia directed by Krzysztof Penderecki as well as the Bruckner Orchester Linz with Gerd Albrecht. In September 2007 Danjulo Ishizaka debuts at the Lucerne Festival. In addition, Ishizaka has been chosen for the renowned BBC New Generation Artists Scheme, providing him not only with numerous studio recordings for the BBC but also solo appearances with the five BBC Symphony Orchestras, the Proms and a debut recital at Wigmore Hall.
Future plans include performances with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and Valery Gergiev and tours with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra with Baiba Skride. Ishizaka's next chamber collaboration is with Maxim Vengerov and Markus Schirmer and includes his debut at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam.
Danjulo Ishizaka is supported by the Kronberg Academy which also provides him with the W. Schnabl cello, formerly played by Boris Pergamenschikov. In addition, he plays the Stradivarius cello from 1696, the Lord Aylesford, on loan to him from the Nippon Music Foundation.
Promoters please note: if you wish to include this biography in a concert programme etc, please contact Hazard Chase to ensure that you receive the most up to date version.
Email: Suzanna Ivanic
