Yasunao Ishida, renowned for his intimidating visuals and performances blending delicacy with passion, and Naoto Sakitani, a young leader in high demand as a guest concertmaster with orchestras nationwide.  The ultimate duo featuring two super violinists has arrived!  

Yasunao Ishida (Violin)

Graduated top of his class from Kunitachi College of Music, simultaneously receiving the Yatabe Prize.

After serving as concertmaster of the New Japan Philharmonic, he became Solo Concertmaster of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra in 2001. Since then, he has become the “face of the Kanagawa Philharmonic” and currently shoulders the important responsibility as Principal Solo Concertmaster.

He has received the Kanagawa Cultural Award Future Prize and the Yokohama Cultural Award for Culture and Arts Encouragement.

He also shines uniquely in various ensembles, including the YAMATO String Quartet, which he joined at its founding, and “Ishida-gumi,” an all-male string ensemble he produced.

Since April 2020, he has concurrently served as Special Guest Concertmaster of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra.

His latest album, “PIAZZOLA LIVE,” was released in December 2021. 

In June 2022, he published his first book, “Before Being a Musician, Be Human!”

His instruments are a 1690 G. Tononi and a 1726 M. Goffriller.

 

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Naoto Sakiya (Violin)

Graduated from the Cologne University of Music, Paris Conservatoire, and Toho Gakuen School of Music with a Soloist Diploma, then completed studies at the Basel Music Academy.

Won First Prize at the Novosibirsk International Competition and Third Prize at the Menuhin International Competition.

Formed the Wales String Quartet in 2006. Awarded Third Prize in the String Quartet category at the 2008 ARD International Music Competition in Munich and Third Prize at the 2011 Osaka International Chamber Music Competition.

Has appeared as guest concertmaster with major Japanese orchestras including the Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Served as Solo Concertmaster of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra for eight years from 2014.

First Violinist, Welsh String Quartet.

To date, the Welsh String Quartet has released six albums, including their ongoing complete Beethoven string quartet cycle. As DOS DEL FIDDLES, they released ‘DOS DEL FIDDLES-LIVE-’.

In 2022, he released his solo album ‘destined for...BACH’, centered around Bach's unaccompanied works, which was selected as a Special Selection in the December 2022 issue of Record Geijutsu's monthly new releases review.

His instrument is a 1697 G.B. Rogeri.