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.

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 for Yamaha Masterclasses and at Chetham’s International Piano Summer School, where she will return this summer. Other teaching commitments this season include the Yeon Cheon Piano Academy in Korea.

In addition to her busy performing and teaching career, Noriko regularly judges at international competitions. 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, Xiamen International Piano Competition, and the Scottish International Piano Competition. Noriko is also a former chairperson for the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition.

Highlights of the 23/24 season include performances at Wigmore Hall, Oxford Piano Festival, premiering a new sonata by Joseph Phibbs in Japan, UK tour with saxophonist Huw Wiggin, concerto performances with Sendai Philharmonic and Kawasaki Symphony Orchestra, and various adjudication including Singapore National Piano and Violin Competition, Japan National Music Competition and International Keyboard Institute & Festival Korea. Noriko also presented the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition’s first UK gala concert at Kings Place with 2018 Hamamatsu competition winner, Can Çakmur.

In 2025, Noriko performed the world premiere of Yoshihiro Kanno’s Piano Concerto No. 1 ‘Mirror Maze’ with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. This season also saw Noriko perform a series of recitals in the Channel Islands, along with adjudication positions at several prestigious competitions including at the Singapore International Piano Competition, the Kawai International Piano Competition and the Dublin International Piano Competition.

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.