Born: 1933 - Japan

The Japanese pianist and harpsichordist, Michio Kobayashi, graduated from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music and the Hochschule für Musik, Detmold.

After finishing his studies, Michio Kobayashi quickly gained recognition for his wide range of activities - performances as harpsichordist and pianist, chamber musician and conductor -particularly in his interpretations of J.S. Bach, Mozart and Schubert. He has collaborated with many artists in Japan and overseas including Ludwig Hoelscher and Jean-Pierre Rampal and Aurèle Nicholet, with whom he also toured China. Through his work with renowned baritone Teiichi Nakayama, he absorbed a deep knowledge of German Lied and his performances as accompanist to many of the worlds leading singers including Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, with whom he toured Europe and Japan, Gerhard Hüsch, Hermann Prey and Ernst Haefliger, caused critics to liken him to the legendary accompanist Gerald Moore.

As harpsichordist, Michio Kobayashi appears with leading ensembles such as the Deutsche Bachsolisten, Frankfurt Bach Orchester and various Japanese baroque groups, as well as regular chamber music concerts and continuing his work as General Advisor of the Yufuin Music Festival.

Michio Kobayashi has been honoured with several prestigious awards including the Suntory Music Award (1970), Mozarteum Medal of the Salzburg International Foundation (1972) and Mobil Music Award (1979). He is currently professor at Kunitachi College of Music.

Source: Kajimoto Concert Management Website
Contributed by Teddy Kaufman (December 2006)

Michio Kobayashi: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental & Vocal Works

Links to other Sites

Michio Kobayashi, Piano/Harpsichord (Kajimoto Concert Management)