Pianist Atsuko Seta

 

Born in Osaka Japan, living in Poland as a Honorable Citizen of Szczawno-Zdrój city. Artistic Director of Chiangmai Ginastera International Music Festival. Honorary Professor of Payap University Thailand. Honorary Chairman of Japan Ginastera Association.

In 1977 Atsuko Seta graduated from the Department of Music, Piano Course, Osaka Kyoiku University. In 1978, she completed a Postgraduate Course, starting her career as a pianist, mentored by Argentine pianist Eduardo Delgado. She also studied at the Summer Academy of Wien Austria with Prof. Jenner Alexander, at the International Summer Music Academy of Sion Switzerland with Prof. Friedrich Wilhelm Schnurr, at the Summer Master Course in Flaine France with Prof.Pascal Devoyon, at the French Music Academy in Kyoto Japan with Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard. In 1996, Atsuko won the Top prize of the Masterplayers International Music Competition in Italy. Her talent has been noticed by the president conductor Maestro Richard Schumacher.

“This phenomenal Japanese pianist has played to standing ovations. One of the greatest pianists I have ever heard !” (Richard Schumacher)
Since 1997, she has performed in Europe every year, especially Piano Concertos with Sudety Philharmonic in Poland. “Extraordinary technique exceptional sound and dynamic impetuous temperament” (Walbrzyski Tygodnik,Poland)

In 2003, Atsuko Seta received the Music Critic Club Prize, which is given to the most active musician in West Japan. In 2004, she received the IBLA Grand Prize Ginastera Special Award in Italy. In 2003 and 2004, she began performing piano concertos with the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra, the first Japanese pianist to do so. In 2005 she visited the United States, performing in Los Angeles and New York City, giving Ginastera recitals at the Yamaha Center and at Carnegie Hall and New York University during which she performed Ginastera Sonata No.1 amongst others.

“ Japanese Pianist Atsuko Seta is one of the true highlights of the evening, she is obviously in love with the music of the 20th Century Argentinean master Alberto Ginastera. She presents his music with such abandon and high-wattage enthusiasm,smiling with such delight in what she is creating.” (Jeffrey James). In 2006, Atsuko performed premiere Ginastera Piano Concerto No.1 with Sudecka Philharmonic in Poland. In 2007, Grieg Piano Concerto with Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria. In 2011, Chopin Piano Concerto No.1 with Osaka Doctor ’s Philharmonic in Japan. In 2012 Rechmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 with Ternopil Philharmonic in Ukraine. In 2013, Solo Recital in Italy and Germany. In 2014, Solo Recital in Holland.

In 2016, Ginastera Recital at Leipzig Hochschule“ Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy ” in Germany. In 2017 with Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra in Vietnam. In 2018 with Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra, Ternopil Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra.

2008 – 2018 she has been living in Thailand Chiangmai, performing many Solo Recitals and Piano Concertos with Chiangmai Philharmonic Orchestra. She was teaching as a Guest Professor at Payap University Music Department. In April 2015, she organized Japan Concert Tour with her students, this was aired on Japanese TV. In 2016 She founded Chiangmai Ginastera International Music Festival and Competition, now she is continuing to work wonderfully as an Artistic Director.

In 2018 She moved to Poland , living with her husband in Szczawno-Zdroj city where she was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen.
Official Website http://atsuko-pianist.com

Prize and Jury

  • 1993 Best Soloist Prize of All Japan Musician’s Association Competition
  • 1996 Masterplayers Prize of Masterplayers International Music Competition in Italy 2003 Music Critic Club Prize in Japan
  • 2004 IBLA GRAND PRIZE in Italy <Ginastera Special Award>
  • 1996 A Jury of Classic Music Competition in Japan
  • 1997~1999 A Jury of Masterplayers International Music Competition in Swizerland 2014 A Jury of Hong Kong International Music Competition for young pianists in China 2016-2017 A Jury of Chiangmai Ginastera International Music Competition in Thiland 2017 A Jury of Rovere d’Oro International Music Competition in Italy.
  • 2018 A Jury of Scriabin International Piano Competion in Italy