Various Composers - Origin (Michiaki Ueno)

Information

1. Toshiro Mayuzumi - Bunraku
2. Tōru Takemitsu - Air (arr. Michiaki Ueno)
3. Traditionnel  - Sakura (arr. Michiaki Ueno)
4. Teizo Matsumura - Air of Prayer
5. Kosaku Yamada - Trifoliate Orange Flowers (arr. Michiaki Ueno)
6. Rentaro Taki - The Moon Over the Ruined Castle (arr. Michiaki Ueno)
7. Madoka Mori - Phoenix: I. Act I. Appassionato
8. Madoka Mori - Phoenix: II. Prologue
9. Madoka Mori - Phoenix: III. Act II. Misterioso
10. Madoka Mori - Phoenix: IV. Intermezzo
11. Madoka Mori - Phoenix: V. Act III. Misterioso - Appassionato

Michiaki Ueno, cello

Date: 2025

Label: La Dolce Volta

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Japanese cellist Michiaki Ueno, a rising star known for his charisma and precision, presents Origin—an exploration of cultural identity through works by Japanese composers blending tradition and modernity. Each performance reveals emotional depth and refined artistry, guiding listeners through a journey of memory, renewal, and self-discovery. The album serves as a personal tribute to Ueno’s roots and cosmopolitan spirit, highlighting his mature musicianship and expressive range. Through the cello’s rich, poetic timbre, Ueno transcends borders to evoke a universal emotional resonance, affirming his place as a distinctive and deeply committed artist on the international stage.

Born in Paraguay in 1995, Michiaki Ueno began cello studies at age five and made his concerto debut at eleven in Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. He became the first Japanese winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in 2009 and later won major prizes including the Geneva International Music Competition (2021). Ueno has performed with leading orchestras worldwide and collaborated with renowned artists. Trained under Pieter Wispelwey and Gary Hoffman, he has received numerous national honors and foundation support. He performs on a 1730 “Feuermann” Stradivarius and a 1758 P.A. Testore cello, affirming his stature as one of Japan’s foremost young cellists.