KAJIMOTO is delighted to announce that the young talented pianist Tomoki Kitamura received the 75th Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technologies’ Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists (Category of Music, for the Japanese fiscal year 2024).
This is for his outstanding achievements including his successful solo album LISZT  ANNÉES DE PÈLERINAGE and solo concert “Hokutopia International Music Festival 2024 – Tomoki Kitamura Fortepiano Recital Around Schumann’s Fantasie” (see below for further details).

“Mr. Tomoki Kitamura, through his most refined crystal sound, brings his resolute interpretations to his audience without missing a single detail of the score. His pianism has truly reached a peak while recording LISZT  ANNÉES DE PÈLERINAGE (…) Among his frequent concerts, especially noteworthy was one (…) where he first proved himself to be an excellent fortepiano performer as well. We hereby celebrate the appearance of this musician who is by far preeminent aesthetically and intellectually,” said the award jury.

“Both concerts and albums are artworks that I could never complete all by myself. Therefore I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for having engaged in all this wonderful music with me,” said Tomoki Kitamura.

Keep an eye out for more from Tomoki in the future.
Congratulations, Tomoki!

〈Awarded Solo Album〉

LISZT ANNÉES DE PÈLERINAGE
Released: March 2024
Catalogue number: FOCD9900/2 (3 SACD)
Recorded at the Tokorozawa Civic Cultural Centre Muse, Cube Hall
Label: fontec
https://fontec1971.thebase.in/items/83205465

〈Awarded Concert〉

Hokutopia International Music Festival 2024 – Tomoki Kitamura Fortepiano Recital Around Schumann’s Fantasie
Date：October 26th, 2024
Venue: Hokutopia Sakura Hall
Program:
Beethoven/Liszt: „Mignon” aus Sechs Lieder von Goehte S. 468-1
Beethoven/Liszt: Liederkreis „An die ferne Geliebte“ S. 469
Schumann: „Quasi Variazioni“ aus „Concert sans Orchestre“
Liszt: „Vallée d’Obermann” aus „Album d’un Voyageur” S. 165-5
Schumann: Fantasie C-dur Op. 17

Fortepiano: Johann Krämer (1825)
Organizer: Kita-Ku Culture Foundation

Official Announcement of the Award
(in Japanese, the Website of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan)
https://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/94177001.html