Fujiko Hemming

Described by leading authorities world-wide as "the legend of the piano" and "a phenomenon in the classical music scene", FUJIKO HEMMING belongs to the most accomplished contemporary representatives of of Japan's keyboard artistry. From a very early age she started playing the piano under the guidance of her mother. When barely ten years old, Leonid Kreutzer, with whom she studied at the time, predicted her imminent success in music. Hemming went on to graduate from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and then continued her studies at the Institute of Music in her native Berlin. Following her graduation, she moved to Vienna and perfected her artistry with Paul Badura-Skoda. Her pianist career is marked by high evaluations for her brilliant technique and musicality. Fujiko Hemming's concert performances have been repeatedly aired on television stations in Japan as well as in countries such as Germany, Austria, Sweden. In 1999, her debut disc, La Campanella, sold over two million copies – a record in the classical music world. She has appeared on numerous collaborative concerts with orchestras from all over the world, and her 2001 New York performance attracted over 3,000 people. The pianist is a vivid and noticeable presence on the international scene in the following years, as well. In April 2016, Japan commemorated the 60th anniversary from its accession to the UN with a Fujiko Hemming concert held at the UN New York headquarters. A series of more concerts were to follow – in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, an appearance commemorating the 80th anniversary of the beginning of Japanese migration to Paraguay, as well as a South America tour. Following her performance at the Summer Festival in Poland, a local radio station exclaimed: "The audience was intoxicated by her performances of Chopin and Liszt. Exquisite! In our day I had never heard technique and beauty both in the same performance. She contrived to evoke in their fullness the composer's character and soul. That was the most beautiful! Fujiko Hemming continues to fascinate audiences on her international tours. In 2019, she commenced her long awaited musical journey around Europe, which includes her artistic appearance on stage in Bulgaria as well.