Akira Tachikawa (Counter-tenor)

Born: Shizuoka, Japan

The Japanese counter-tenor, Akira Tachikawa, entered the Shizuoka Children’s Choir at the age of seven, when he received his earliest musical education. In 1980 he entered the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music as a counter-tenor, where he studied with Kounosuke Watanabe and Ryousuke Hatanaka. Tachikawa graduated from the Master’s programme at the same university in 1988.

As one of a very few accomplished Japanese counter-tenors, Akira Tachikawa has been much in demand as a soloist in baroque works, including Bach’s Passions, and opera. Since 1986 he has been living in Europe, studying with René Jacobs and appearing in numerous performances throughout Switzerland, Germany and France.

Source: Liner notes to BIS CD-751 (Bach Cantatas 1, conducted by Suzuki)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (April 2001)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Hermann Max

Alto

BWV 244

Masaaki Suzuki

Alto

BWV 4, BWV 150, BWV 163, BWV 165, BWV 185, BWV 243, BWV 245
J.D. Zelenka: Magnificat in D major, ZWV 108

Links to other Sites

J.S. Bach: Johannes-Passion (CCSJ)