Noriko Ogawa
Piano
At a glance
Noriko Ogawa
Piano
…pianism of the highest orderThe Times
Noriko Ogawa has achieved considerable renown throughout the world. Appearing with all the major European, Japanese and US orchestras, as well as an extensive discography with BIS Records, Noriko’s highly acclaimed performances set her apart from her contemporaries.
Biography —
Noriko Ogawa has achieved considerable renown throughout the world since her success at the Leeds International Piano Competition. Noriko’s “ravishingly poetic playing” (Telegraph) sets her apart from her contemporaries and acclaim for her complete Debussy series with BIS Records (“If you like your Debussy to sound like the musical equivalent of a chilled white wine, Noriko Ogawa is the pianist for you” Roger Vignoles, BBC Radio 3, CD Review), confirms her as a fine Debussy specialist.
As an exclusive recording artist for BIS Records, Noriko’s most recent discs were music by Xiaogang Ye with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, released in June 2022, and the fifth volume in her series of Erik Satie’s piano music, released in March 2022. Ranging from Mozart, Rachmaninov, Satie, Debussy to contemporary composers including Alexander Tcherepnin, Vagn Holmboe, and Yoshihiro Kanno, Noriko boasts a prolific catalogue of over 30 albums. Her discography includes Takemitsu’s Riverrun (Editor’s Choice, Gramophone), Mussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition (Critics’ Choice, BBC Music Magazine), critically acclaimed Debussy’s complete piano music, and a complete set of Eric Satie’s music for solo piano.
In the 21/22 season, Noriko’s performances included concerts with BBC Symphony Orchestra at Barbican Centre, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major with Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and solo and duo piano recitals at the Muza Kawaski Symphony Hall. Noriko’s 22/23 season highlights include: London Piano Festival at King’s Place, St David’s Hall with saxophonist Huw Wiggin, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto at Rubinstein Piano Competition, and a concert with English Symphony Orchestra.
As a regular Professor and sought-after guest educator, Noriko is a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Tokyo College of Music and Music Director of Hamamatsu International Piano Academy. Noriko is a Visiting Professor at the Royal College of Music, Yamaha Masterclasses, The Purcell School and Chetham’s International Piano Summer School.
In addition to her busy performing and teaching career, Noriko regularly judges at international competitions. Forthcoming and recent adjudications include Rubinstein Piano Competition, Cleveland International Piano Competition, Leeds International Piano Competition, Japan National Music Competition, International Edvard Grieg Competition in Norway, International Paderewski Piano Competition, ARD International Music Competition, Honens International Piano Competition, and the Scottish International Piano Competition.
Noriko was appointed as the Chairperson of the Jury for Japan’s prestigious 10th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in 2018 and was also elected to the board of the World Federation of International Music Competitions this same year.
Noriko is passionate about charity work, particularly after the earthquake and tsunami which devastated Japan in early 2011. Since the earthquake she has raised over £40,000 for the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Fund and is keen to keep fundraising. Noriko also founded Jamie’s Concerts, a series for autistic children and parents, and is a Cultural Ambassador for the National Autistic Society.
News —

New Album by Noriko Ogawa
Noriko Ogawa's New Album "Dubugnon - Klavieriana and Chamber Symphonies" is out now. Read more

Ikon & EPAM artists during lockdown
A selection of highlights that Ikon/EPAM artists have been involved in during lockdown Read more

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Ikon Arts-Edition Peters
A round up of all the music you can catch up with and watch live virtually over the festive period Read more
Noriko Ogawa BBC Music Magazine Interview
The February 2020 BBC Music Magazine Interview is with Noriko Ogawa Read more

Four Ikon Arts–Edition Peters artists and composers feature in ‘Venus Unwrapped’ at Kings Place
The new Kings Place series features Stile Antico, Noriko Ogawa and the Sacconi Quartet as well as Edition Peters composers Judith Bingham and Roxanna Panufnik. Read more
Photos —















Reviews —
What sets her apart from other pianists is her wonderful sense of timing… [Ogawa] allows the music to breathe, while maintaining the forward momentum
The Times
…just one of myriad spell-binding moments where clarity of local detail, a broader sense of gesture and an awareness of the structural whole are in perfect alliance, supported by superb sound.
Christopher Dingle, BBC Music Magazine
The soloist, Noriko Ogawa, played with crystalline precision in striking music that alternates between percussive chords and floating melismas
The Observer
Ampere is another wicked puppet show, the string-puller the fearless Noriko Ogawa, whose jolts at the piano are virtuosically pursued by the orchestra for 25 minutes of teasing charm…
Neil Fisher, The Times
Ogawa’s play was precise and her style elegant, as her hands moved lightly and with great economy over the keyboard. Most impressive was her interpretation of Debussy’s fantastical La cathédrale engloutie, with its ghostly reverberating “organ” chords as the undersea cathedral rose from the depths of the ocean.
Art Muse London
Ogawa is unfailingly beautiful, truly poetic
Christopher Howell, Music Web International
…poetic and virtuoso performance…
Waikato Times
Noriko Ogawa demonstrated exquisite tonal control and musical clarity, with some delightful bass sonorities, bright droplets of sound, and elegantly nuanced layers and textures… Noriko Ogawa performed them with obvious humour, warmth and charm, underpinned by expert and tasteful pedalling and superb technical facility.
Frances Wilson, Bachtrack
Noriko Ogawa's superb performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 held the audience in rapt attention, as she followed the constantly shifting emotional and stylistic contours. The virtuosity of her playing never drew attention to itself but recreated the moods with transparency.
Nottingham Evening Post
Ogawa’s playing has immense sensitivity and command – an excellent start to this cycle.
Gramophone
Selected Discography —

Satie - Relâche & Cinéma: Piano Music, Vol. 4
Andrew McGregor, BBC Radio 3 Record ReviewThe playing's brilliant, the wit and weirdness of Satie's inventions comes across well

La Clarinette Parisienne

Dubugnon - Klavieriana and Chamber Symphonies
Martin Blaumeiser, Klassik-heuteThe pianist Noriko Ogawa acts with fire and commitment, sensitive and gripping in every detail

Satie - Piano Music, Vol. 3

SATIE - Piano Music Vol. 2

SATIE - Piano Music Vol. 1
BBC Music Magazine, 5*In this utterly delightful disc she manages to convey not only Satie’s quirkiness, but his honesty… She also, as we know, has a fine technique.

Light, Water, Rainbow...

MOZART - Mozart Piano Sonatas No. 10, 11, 12
All MusicOne would hope that Ogawa has much more Mozart to offer, because this is an exquisite presentation that other pianists should envy. Highly recommended.

DEBUSSY - Piano Music, Vol. 1 – Vol.5
BBC Music MagazineHer playing is never less than sensitive and beautiful, the melting texture she extracts at the end of the Suite bergamasque’s ‘Passepied’ being just one of myriad exquisite moments

GRAHAM FITKIN - Circuit
Peter Burwasser, FanfareNoriko Ogawa and Kathryn Stott … are both superb, displaying rock-solid rhythmic pulse, delicate phrasing, and beautiful tone.

TCHEREPNIN - Complete Symphonies & Piano Concertos
BBC Music MagazineThe soloist, Noriko Ogawa, played with crystalline precision in striking music that alternates between percussive chords and floating melisma

RACHMANINOV - Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4; Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, Op. 43
BBC Music MagazineThe clarity of Ogawa’s fingerwork in some of the fast passagework in the Finale is a joy to behold, as is her seductive and caressing approach to the slow movement

TAKEMITSU - A String Around Autumn
GramophoneNoriko Ogawa judges the balance sensitively...

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV - Orchestral Works
GramophoneOgawa responds to every fleeting whimsicality with such clarity and refinement that you are lost in wonder

RACHMANINOV - Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3
Related Media —
Noriko Ogawa - Duo concert with Huw Wiggins
Noriko performs at the Royal Over-Seas League with Saxophonist Huw Wiggins View on YouTubeNoriko Ogawa - Dance of Sugar plum fairy
Noriko gives a charity concert for Soundabout View on YouTubeKanno: Cat in a Box
Noriko plays Kanno's 'Cat in a Box' on a prepared piano and two toy pianos, with Noriko Otake View on YouTubeJamie's Concerts
To launch her role as Cultural Ambassador for the National Autistic Society, Noriko talks about her Jamie's Concerts which are designed for parents and carers of chlidren with autism. Filmed at Eaton Square Concerts, April 2015 View on YouTubeIn Tune sessions: Noriko plays Clara Schumann (April 2015)
Noriko plays Clara Schumann's Polonaise No. 1 Op. 1 on BBC Radio 3's In Tune View on YouTubeNoriko Ogawa - Debussy's 'Feux d'artifice'
In a performance exclusively for Sinfini Music, pianist Noriko Ogawa plays Debussy's glittering depiction of a fireworks display, 'Feux d'artifice'. View on YouTubeNoriko analyses Debussy's 'Feux d'artifice'
Noriko gives us a fascinating insight into the mind of the French composer: how he loved to break the traditional rules of harmony, and how he was influenced by jazz and oriental music. View on YouTubeNoriko Ogawa piano lesson on Erik Satie 'Le Piccadilly'
Watch pianist Noriko Ogawa give an electrifying piano lesson on Satie's effervescent 'Le Piccadilly', for Pianist Magazine and Yamaha View on YouTubeDownloads —
Contact —
Name
- Nicola Semple