About Hideko Udagawa
Hideko Udagawa is a renowned concert violinist recognised for her expressive playing and diverse repertoire that spans classical and contemporary works. She has performed internationally with leading orchestras and conductors and is known for her recordings, especially her collection of world premiere recordings and interpretations of Russian and European classical music. Ms Udagawa studied with Nathan Milstein in London and at the Julliard School in New York and has built a distinguished career with performances at major concert halls around the world.
International Concert Violinist
Hideko Udagawa has performed extensively throughout the world and captivates international audiences with her artistry and enthusiasm. Critics have acclaimed her performances, commending her passionate commitment, dazzling agility and refinement of taste. As a protégée of Nathan Milstein, she has inherited the great Russian romantic tradition of violin playing. Her performances have spanned thirty countries across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, and more than one hundred cities and towns in the United Kingdom alone.
Hideko Udagawa Orchestra Debut and Performances
Ms Udagawa made her orchestral debut in London with the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Charles Mackerras, playing Bruch's G minor concerto at the Barbican Hall.
Highlights from her other engagements include multiple performances with the:
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Philharmonia under Leonard Slatkin,
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Royal Philharmonic under Paavo Jarvi,
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Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under Marek Janowski,
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City of Birmingham Symphony under Okko Kamu,
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London Mozart Players under Matthias Bamert,
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Russian National under Paavo Berglund, as well as
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Moscow Philharmonic,
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English Chamber,
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National Symphony,
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Bavarian Radio and
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Armenian Philharmonic Orchestras.
International Tours as a Solo Violinist
Hideko Udagawa has made a twelve-city tour in North America with the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg and several tours in Japan with the Warsaw Philharmonic under Kazimierz Kord and the Japan Philharmonic.
Hideko Udagawa UK Tours as Solo Violinist with visiting orchestras
Ms Udagawa has also toured as a guest soloist with many visiting orchestras in the United Kingdom, including Berlin Symphony, Polish Chamber and Bucharest Philharmonic. Invitations to many international festivals have included the George Enescu, City of London, Norfolk & Norwich, Perth, Brno, Ankara and Assisi festivals.
Hideko Udagawa Violin Recordings
In addition to live performances, Ms Udagawa has made a number of recordings which draw on her wide-ranging repertoire of over 40 concerti. She is particularly enthusiastic about discovering great unrecorded works.
First-Ever Collection of Rachmaninov’s Violin and Piano Works with Konstantin Lifschitz
Ms Udagawa’s CD of works by Rachmaninov with the pianist Konstantin Lifschitz, for Signum Records, is the first ever collection of this popular composer's works for violin and piano and includes world premiere recording pieces.
Recordings with the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras
Ms Udagawa’s CD with the Philharmonia Orchestra was released by Signum Records in 2010 to coincide with her recital in Cadogan Hall. This CD was chosen as 'Presenter's Choice' by Classic FM Magazine and includes works for violin and orchestra by Joachim and Ysaye which is a world premiere recording piece. In the Autumn of 2011, she recorded Khachaturian Concerto Rhapsody and Liapunov Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which was also released by Signum Records in 2012.
Brahms, Bruch, Khachaturian, and More: Orchestral and Chamber Music Recordings
Recordings on Nimbus feature Hideko Udagawa performing the Brahms and Bruch Violin Concerti with the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Charles Mackerras. Ms. Udagawa also recorded a CD dedicated to Aram Khachaturian’s violin and piano music with Boris Berezovsky, who is recognised as a great interpreter of Russian music. This CD includes the only recording from Khachaturian’s original manuscripts, gifted by his grandson.
In spring 2015, she released a collection of rare 18th-century concertos with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra to critical acclaim. Later, in September 2015, she released the Glazounov Concerto along with works by Tchaikovsky, Chausson, Sarasate, and Saint-Saëns with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Additionally, Ms. Udagawa has recorded Heifetz transcriptions with Pavel Gililov for ASV and a selection of violin virtuoso pieces for Toshiba-EMI.
Since 2018 she has recorded two more CDs devoted to a collection of 24 Russian works for a Russian label, Northern Flowers.
Hideko Udagawa: A Cultural Ambassador on the World Stage
As the great-granddaughter of one of Japan's historically most influential prime ministers, she enjoys the international performer's role as a cultural ambassador. Among several performances for the United Nations, she played at its 50th anniversary concerts in Vienna's Konzerthaus and the Victoria Hall in Geneva. She has also presented a recital in Tokyo in the presence of their Imperial Highnesses, the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
Studying with Nathan Milstein: Musical Journey and Education
Ms Udagawa studied with Nathan Milstein in London and at the Julliard School in New York. Having previously lived in Tokyo and New York, she now makes her home in London.
Hideko Udagawa: Mentoring the Next Generation of Violinists in London
Ms Udagawa is passionate about guiding the next generation of violinists, offering personalized violin lessons in London, and working with Cambridge University Faculty of Music as well. Her teaching focuses on developing a solid technical foundation while encouraging students to express their individuality through music. Drawing from her studies with Nathan Milstein, she emphasizes thoughtful problem-solving and critical thinking over rote repetition. Students benefit from her deep understanding of the Russian school of violin playing, learning to combine technical precision with expressive freedom. Lessons are tailored to each student’s needs, helping them discover and develop their unique musical voice.
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