Japanese Literary Awards

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Hiroko Nakamura

なかむら ひろこ

Nakamura Hiroko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1944-07-25 （Shioyama, Higashi-Yamanashi District, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan (now Kōshū)）
Died
2016-07-26 age 72
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Yamanashi Prefecture (Shioyama / now Kōshū) → Todoroki, Setagaya, Tokyo (raised)

Career

Occupations
Pianist, Author, Competition juror, Presenter
Active Years
1959-2016
Influenced By
Frédéric Chopin, Artur Rubinstein, Ferruccio Busoni

Education

Toho Gakuen Girls' High School
Music Department
Period: 中等・高等教育（在学中に中退して渡米）
Country: Japan
Attended music department; left before graduation to study at Juilliard with a full scholarship.
The Juilliard School
Period: 渡米後（入学年は資料により不詳）
Country: United States
Studied with Rosina Lhévinne.

Awards

Oya Soichi Nonfiction Prize
1989
Work: Tchaikovsky Competition: Contemporary Music as Heard by Pianists
Organization: Oya Soichi Nonfiction Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Bungeishunju Readers' Award
1991
Organization: Bungeishunju
Result: 受賞
TonenGeneral / ExxonMobil Music Prize
2005
Organization: TonenGeneral / ExxonMobil Music Award
Result: 受章
Purple Ribbon Medal (Shiju-hosho)
2008
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Art Academy of Japan Prize (Imperial Prize)
2009
Category: 恩賜賞
Organization: The Japan Art Academy
Result: 受賞
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
2016
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 追贈
Music Pen Club Award (Lifetime Achievement)
2017
Category: 功労賞
Organization: Music Pen Club
Result: 受賞（追贈）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Tchaikovsky Competition: Contemporary Music as Heard by Pianists

1988 Non-fiction (music criticism / reportage)

A nonfiction account of international music competitions and perspectives on contemporary music.

international competitionsmusic criticismperforming practice

My Cat Stories

1983 Essays

An essay collection about Nakamura's pet cat(s), showing a domestic side of the artist.

animalshome lifepersonal essays

There Are Barbarians Called Pianists

1992 Essays / Music criticism

Essays on life as a performer, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and reflections on musicianship.

performance theorybehind the sceneseducation

Bibliography

  • My Cat Stories
  • Tchaikovsky Competition: Contemporary Music as Heard by Pianists
  • There Are Barbarians Called Pianists
  • I Want to Dive into Argentina
  • Somewhere Classical
  • Lights and Shadows of International Competitions
  • See You at the Competition: Roots of an Era Tired of Great Performances
  • Pianists Also Take Adventures

Adaptations

  • Hiroko Nakamura Forever (Live Recording)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear and approachable voiceConcrete descriptions based on performing experienceRich musical insight
Recurring Motifs
music and humanitystage and backstagereminiscence and pedagogy

Health

  • Colon cancer
    2014-2016
    Colon cancer discovered during surgery in 2014. Treated and briefly returned in 2015, then paused activities for treatment; health issues continued until her death in 2016.

Legacy

An internationally active Japanese pianist who influenced the next generation through performance, education, competition leadership and writing. She was also active in public and charity work and received numerous honors.

Academic Societies

  • The Japan Art Academy

In Popular Culture

  • Appearances on television programs (NHK, TV Asahi, etc.) and numerous commercials

Quotes

  • Brilliant technique and overflowing feeling, and above all an affinity for romantic music.
    Source: Harold C. Schonberg, "The Great Pianists" (1987)

Trivia

  • Husband was novelist Kaoru Shoji.
  • She gave over 3,800 performances at home and abroad.
  • Placed 4th and received the youngest finalist prize at the 7th International Chopin Piano Competition (1965).