Welcome to MOTOKI HIRAI Official Website

What's New!!

Concert
16-25 Oct 2020
Three piano recitals on Qunard's Queen Elizabeth (Tokyo-Busan)

Concert Tour
7 - 22 June 2020
Concert Tour (Russia, Latvia, Sweden, etc.)

Concert Tour / Solo ＆ Duo / UK in Japan 2019-20
22 April - 10 May 2020 (tbc)
Japan tour with a British violinist Madeleine Mitchell as part of 'UK in Japan 2019-20' (Tokyo, Kyoto, etc.)

Concert Tour
25 Feb - 13 Mar 2020
Concert Tour (Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, etc.)

Media / Interview
5 Jan 2020
The Japan Times / The New York Times

READ INTERVIEW >>

Media / Interview
4 Jan 2020
The Japan Times / The New York Times

READ INTERVIEW >>

Media
Jan 2020
'Hatoh' Poetry Magazine (Japan)

Media / Interview on TV
8 November 2019
Interview on TV show 'Good Morning Queen Mary 2' talking about music, life and career.

Concert
4-11 November 2019
3 x Piano Recitals on Qunard's Queen Mary 2 (Southhampton - New York)

Media / Lecture
November 2019
'Hatoh' Poetry Magazine (Japan)

ROIP / World Peace / Goodwill Ambassador
Oct 2019
Motoki has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the ‘Reviving Old Imari Porcelain at Loosdorf Castle, Austria’ (ROIP) project.

'The Old Imari wares are about to awaken from a long, long journey that started 300 years ago when they left Japan for Europe. They are now brought back to life ? after having once ‘died’ amidst the WWII tragedy. The project is not only filled with love and hope, but is a strong symbol of peace.'
--- Motoki Hirai (pianist/composer)

About Project >>

Music Festival / Composition
Thu, 5 Sept 2019
Motoki’s work ‘Kotodama - Voices of Nature II’ (2008) for unaccompanied violin will be premiered at the prestigious music festival Narva Opera Days ‘ contempArt’ 2019 in Estonia (Toila SPA, Estonia). British violinist John Pearce gave its world premiere at London’s Chelsea Flower Show in 2008.

[Performer]
Nina Kawaguchi (first violin of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra)

Concert & Lunch / Japan-Austria 150 / Fundraising Event / Reviving Koimari at Loosdorf Castle
Tue. 3 September 2019 'SOLD OUT'
Piano concert and lunch, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of diplomatic relations of Austria and Japan at an Austrian restaurant Ginza Habsburg. (Ginza, Tokyo)
A fund-raising event for 'Reviving Old Imari Porcelain at Loosdorf Castle, Austria' project.

FLYER ＆ INFO >> About Project >>

Media/Review
Sept 2019
'Ongaku Gendai' Music Magazine(Japan)

Media
Sept 2019
'Hatoh' Poetry Magazine (Japan)

Joint Concert / Solo
Wed. 28 August 2019 - 6 pm
Concert (Densho Hall, Tokyo)

FLYER >>

Lecture
Sat. 24 August 2019 - 2 pm
Motoki will talk on his musical career and world peace as well as art, poetry, culture and zen for the members of 'Hatoh-Tanka-Kai' at Prince Hotel in Shinagawa (Tokyo)

Concert / Matinee
Sun. 14 July 2019 - 14:00 'SOLD OUT'
Takeichiro Hirai Cello Recital "Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of his Career" at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)

Programme to include 'Poem for cello and piano (1917) by Pablo Casals which Takeichiro Hirai gave a worldpremiere in 1957 with the composer himself at the piano. Takeichiro is a renowned disciple of Pablo Casals with whom he played (recorded live) four cello concerti under the Maestro conducting for his Tokyo debut in 1961.

[Programme]
J.S.Bach: Cello Sonata No.2 in D BWV1028

Chopin: Cello Sonata in G minor, Op.65

Casals: Poem for cello and piano (1917), etc.

[Performers]
Takeichiro Hirai, cello
Motoki Hirai, piano

BOOK TICKETS >> FLYER ＆ INFO >>

Media/Concert
11 July 2019
Asahi Newspaper (Japan)

Media / Interview
July 2019
‘ACT4’ Magazine (June/July issue)

Talk / Food Summit
10 & 11 June 2019
As a guest speaker, Motoki will talk on food, music, art, culture and zen at the 3rd Harajuku Food Summit (Harajuku, Tokyo)

The Harajuku Food Summit will bring together the greatest minds in culinary, art, music, sports, health, technology, community and media, whose stories will aim to motivate listeners to engage in a more progressive thinking and work toward a brighter and more sustainable future.

Media
June 2019
'Hatoh' Poetry Magazine (Japan)

Concert Tour
23 - 28 May 2019
Concert Tour (Norway)

Piano Recital / Charity
Sun, 12 May 2019 - 15:30
St. Viator Kitashirakawa Catholic Church (Kyoto)

FLYER ＆ INFO >>

Piano Concert / Folklore and Music Project / Music for Children
Sat, 11 May 2019
Miyama Kayabuki Museum (Kyoto, Japan)

Music Festival / Piano Concert / Talk
Fri, 3 May 2019 - 17:30
Piano concert at La Folle Journee TOKYO 2019 (Maru-Cube, Marunouchi Building, Tokyo)

Media
May 2019
‘Chopin’ Music Magazine

Piano Concert & Talk / Royal Marsden Cancer Charity / Helping Children with Cancer
Tue, 16 April 2019 - 13:30 & 14:30
Piano concert at the Royal Marsden Hospital in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity (Chelsea, London)

Media / Concert Review
March 2019
‘Musical Opinion' Music Magazine

Media / Interview
March 2019
An interview on ‘Colour of Japan', covering art, culture, music, literature, zen, aesthetics and nature unique to Japan.

READ INTERVIEW >>

Concert Tour
25 Feb. - 6 Mar. 2019
Concert Tour (Norway and Sweden)

Seminar / Music & Folklore Project / Arts Fantasia
Wed, 13 February 2019 - 19:00
Seminar - Series 3
Roppongi Academy Hills (Tokyo)

Media / Review
February 2019
‘Chopin’ Music Magazine

READ REVIEW >>

Media / Review
February 2019
‘Ongaku Gendai’ Music Magazine

READ REVIEW >>

Concert / Talk / Music for Children
25 Jan. 2019
Private Event (Windsor, UK)

Media / Review
Sun, 13 Jan 2019
Sunday Magazine of the Manila Bulletin

Lecture / Workshop / Music for Children
11 Jan. 2019
Private Event (Windsor, UK)

Media / Concert Review
January 2019
‘Musical Opinion' Music Magazine

READ REVIEW >>

Media/Review/Japan-Denmark 150/Tsunami Charity/Music & Folklore Project/Helping Children with Cancer
27 Dec 2018
Fukushima Minpo Newspaper (Japan)

READ ARTICLE >>

Media / Review
Sun, 16 December 2018
'Philstar Global' newspaper
READ REVIEW >>

Media / Article
Wed, 12 December 2018
Nikkei Newspaper
READ ARTICLE >>

Media / Article
Tue, 11 December 2018
Nikkei Newspaper
READ ARTICLE >>

Media / Review
December 2018
‘Mostly Calassic' Music Magazine

Concert Tour
28 November - 14 December 2018
Concert Tour (East Africa, Madagascar, etc.)

Seminar / Music & Folklore Project / Leadership / Arts Fantasia
Tue, 27 November 2018
Roppongi Academy Hills (Tokyo)

Media / Review
Mon, 26 November 2018
Manila Bulletin

Media / Review
Wed, 21 November 2018
Daily Manila Newspaper

Piano Concert
Wed, 21 November 2018 - 10 am
City Hall (Las Pinas, Philippines)

Concert Tour / Piano Recitals / Workshops
18-21 November 2018
Concert Tour (Philippines)

Concert / Music for Children / Music & Folklore Project
Tue, 20 November 2018 - 11am & 1pm
Piano Concerts at Manila Japanese School celebrating its 50th Anniversary (Manila, Philippines)

Piano Recital / Private Event
Mon, 19 November 2018 - 7pm
Japanese Ambassador's Residence (Manila, Philippines)

Garden Concert & Dinner in Kyoto
Fri, 16 November 2018
Piano Recital and Dinner at Hakusasonso Hashimoto Kansetsu Garden & Museum (Kyoto, Japan)

FLYER & INFO >>　　　 ABOUT GARDEN & MUSEUM >>

Concert / Charity / Helping Children with Cancer
Tue, 13 November 2018
Piano Recital at Hamarikyu Asahi Hall (Tokyo, Japan)

'Helping Children with Cancer'

In Aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

Supported by British Council, The Japan-British Society, Arts Fantasia
Sponsored by Steinway & Sons

TICKETS (チケットぴあ) >>　　　 TICKETS (e+) >>　
FLYER >>
　
* Proceeds from this concert will be donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Since 2014, Motoki Hirai has collaborated with The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity to give comfort and encouragement through music to children with cancer. His activity, which focuses on the mental and emotional wellbeing of such children, involves the following:

i) Inviting children with cancer and their relatives to his piano concerts

ii) Visiting Royal Marsden hospitals to play the piano for the cancer patients who have difficulties going out

iii) Raising funds for research on cancer prevention and methods for early detection, as well as further development of cancer treatment and therapy

iv) Providing opportunities for interaction between cancer patients and non-patients promoting greater awareness

v) Raising general awareness around cancer and the challenges faced by everyone affected by it

DONATE (Royal Marsden Cancer Charity) >>

Media / Interview
November 2018
‘Ongaku no Tomo’ Music Magazine

READ REVIEW >>

Media / Interview
November 2018
‘Ongaku Gendai’ Music Magazine

READ REVIEW >>

Media / Interview
November 2018
‘Bravo’ Music Magazine

READ REVIEW >>

Media / Article
Wed, 31 October 2018
Asahi Newspaper

Concert / Private Event
Sat, 20 October 2018
Piano Concert

Media / Interview
October 2018
‘Chopin’ Piano Magazine

Concert / Charity / Helping Children with Cancer
Thur, 27 September 2018
Piano Recital at Cadogan Hall (London, UK)

'Helping Children with Cancer'

In Aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

Supported by Japan Embassy in the UK, Steinway & Sons, Arts Fantasia
Sponsored by ANA (All Nippon Airways), JR-Central, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Estate, NTT Europe, etc.

TICKETS >> FLYER >>

* Proceeds from this concert will be donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Since 2014, Motoki Hirai has collaborated with The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity to give comfort and encouragement through music to children with cancer. His activity, which focuses on the mental and emotional wellbeing of such children, involves the following:

i) Inviting children with cancer and their relatives to his piano concerts

ii) Visiting Royal Marsden hospitals to play the piano for the cancer patients who have difficulties going out

iii) Raising funds for research on cancer prevention and methods for early detection, as well as further development of cancer treatment and therapy

iv) Providing opportunities for interaction between cancer patients and non-patients promoting greater awareness

v) Raising general awareness around cancer and the challenges faced by everyone affected by it

DONATE (Royal Marsden Cancer Charity) >>

Concert / Private Event
Sat, 15 September 2018
Piano Recital (London)

Concert / Charity / Helping Children with Cancer
Fri, 7 September 2018
Piano Recital (Oxford, UK)

FLYER >>　　DONATE (Royal Marsden Cancer Charity) >>

Concert / Private Event
Mon, 27 August 2018
Piano Recital (London)

Seminar / Music & Folklore Project / Arts Fantasia
Fri, 27 July 2018 - 7pm
Roppongi Academy Hills (Tokyo)

Seminar on promoting creative thinking through music and story for business professionals and leaders

(In collaboration with neuroscientist Mizuto Aoto and senior business consultant Akiko Karaki)

WWI Centenary / Chopin / Paderewski
18-21 June 2018
Research Trip (Poland)

Concert / Grieg 175th Birthday
Sat, 16 June 2018
Piano Recital at Norwegian Church (London, UK)

Blu-ray＆CD New Release
Fri, 25 May 2018
Takeichiro Hirai 80th Birthday Concert Live (Blu-ray & 2 CDs)

Performers: Takeichiro Hirai (cello), Hideaki Hirai (conductor), Motoki Hirai (pf) and Takeichiro Hirai Jubilee Orchestra

FLYER & INFO >>
BUY Blu-ray & CDs >>　TOWER RECORDS Amazon

Folklore and Music Project / Music for Children
Sat, 5 May 2018
Miyama Kayabuki Museum (Kyoto, Japan)

Festival / Concert / Talk
Thur, 3 May 2018 - 7:00 pm
Motoki will be giving a piano concert at the official event of La Folle Journee TOKYO 2018 (Maru-Cube, Marunouchi Building, Tokyo)

Media / Review / Tsunami Charity / Music & Folklore Project
24 April 2018
Fukushima Minpo Newspaper (Japan)
READ ARTICLE >>

Media / Review/ Tsunami Charity / Music & Folklore Project
23 April 2018
NHK news, etc. (Japan)
READ ARTICLE >>

Media / Review/ Tsunami Charity / Music & Folklore Project
23 April 2018
Fukushima Minpo Newspaper (Japan)
READ ARTICLE >>

Charity Concert / Workshop
Mon, 23 April 2018 10:00 / 13:00
Piano Charity Concerts and Workshops at primary schools in Fukushima. (Tohoku, Japan)

Talk Event / Exhibition
Sun, 22 April 2018 11:00 / 14:00
Special talk event at Fukushima Cultural Centre with a Kirie (paper cutout) master, Shu Kubo whose exhibition is held at the same venue from 1 April to 6 May. (Tohoku, Japan)

FLYER >>

Concert Tour
23 February - 9 March 2018
Concert Tour (South America, Grenada, Martinique, etc.)

Concert / Japan-Denmark 150 / Beyond 2020
Tue, 6 February 2018
To celebrate Japan-Denmark 150 years anniversary, Motoki will be introducing folklores, picture books, etc. from both countries with reading and music as a pianist, composer and artistic director. It will be held at the Japanese Ambassador's residence in Copenhagen with Motoki at the piano playing his own music, specially composed for those stories. Motoki will perform piano works by both Danish and Japanese composers in the second half of the programme. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Reading: Jacob Skyggebjerg (Actor)
Piano Solo: Motoki Hirai (Artistic Director)
Violin Duo: Yuko Yasui (2nd violin principal of the Copenhagen Phil/Tivoli Copenhagen Phil)
Jeanine Bick Markley (Copenhagen Phil/Tivoli Copenhagen Phil)
Kirie: Shu Kubo (paper cutout artist)

Arts Fantasia
Feb. 2018
Motoki will found an general incorporated association, Arts Fantasia. (Japan)

Media / Review
25 November 2017
‘Fukushima Minpo’ Newspaper (Fukushima, Japan)
READ REVIEW >>

Media / TV
19 November 2017 (23:10-00:05)
tv-asahi 'Kan-Jam Kanzen-Nen-SHOW' (Japan)

Media / Review
10 November 2017
The Japan News (Japan)

Concert / Japan-Denmark 150 / Beyond 2020
Thu, 9 November 2017
As part of the cultural event ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup/Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and to celebrate the 150 years anniversary of Japan-Denmark diplomatic relations, Motoki will be introducing stories of both countries with reading and music as a pianist, composer and artistic director. A Danish novel will be read by the Danish Ambassador to Japan himself at the Danish Ambassador's residence in Tokyo with Motoki at the piano playing his own music, specially composed for those stories. Motoki will perform piano works by both Danish and Japanese composers in the second half of the programme. (Tokyo, Japan)

Piano Solo: Motoki Hirai (Artistic Director)
Reading: Ambassordor Freddy Svane, Chie Ishiyama
Kirie Artist: Shu Kubo

Concert
Wed, 8 November 2017
Private Event (Yokohama, Japan)

Media / Review
November 2017 Issue
'Ongaku Gendai' Music Magazine (Japan)
READ ARTICLE >>

Media / Review
14 October 2017
Japan News
READ REVIEW >>　　　　SEE COVER PHOTO >>

Concert
3 October 2017
Private Event (London)

Media / Review
October 2017
'Ongaku-no-Tomo' Music Magazine (Japan)
READ REVIEW >>

Concert
28 September 2017
Private Event (London)

Concert Tour
17 – 24 September 2017
Concert Tour (Germany)

Media / Review
12 September 2017
‘Fukushima Minpo’ Newspaper (Fukushima, Japan)
READ ARTICLE >>

Concert
Mon, 28 August 2017 - 7pm
Gala Concert - Takeichiro Hirai's 80th Birthday (Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Japan)

Programme to include Works for cello, piano and orchestra by Haydn, Beethoven, Casals and Takeichiro Hirai

Performers: Takeichiro Hirai (cello), Motoki Hirai (piano) and Hideaki Hirai (conductor) with Chamber Orchestra (tbc)
BOOK TICKETS >> FLYER >>

Media / Concert
2 August 2017
Nikkei Newspaper (Japan)

Media / Concert
27 July 2017
Tokyo Newspaper (Japan)

Media
8 June 2017
‘Fukushima Minpo’ News Paper (Fukushima, Japan)
READ ARTICLE >>

Concert Tour
8 – 16 May 2017
Concert Tour (Ireland, Scotland)

Festival / Concert
Sat, 29 April 2017 - 5:30 pm
Motoki will be giving a piano concert at the official event of La Folle Journée au Japon 2017 – Maru-cube, Marunouchi Building (Marunouchi, Tokyo)

Concert / Masterclass / Tsunami Charity
Thu, 9 March 2017 - 12:30-16:30
Piano Recital and Piano Masterclass at Hugo Lambrechts Music School (Cape Town, South Africa)

Masterclass
Wed, 8 March 2017 – 9:00-13:00
Piano Masterclass at Musaion Concert Hall in University of Pretoria, supported by Embassy of Japan in South Africa and University of Pretoria (Pretoria, South Africa)

Concert / Tsunami Charity
Tue, 7 March 2017 – 7 pm
Piano Recital at the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence (Pretoria, South Africa)

Concert / Picture Books Project
Tue, 7 March 2017 - 12:30-14:30

Piano Recital at Musaion Concert Hall in University of Pretoria, supported by Embassy of Japan in South Africa and the Centre for Japanese Studies at University of Pretoria. As part of ‘The World of Folklore and Picture Books Project’, in which Motoki has been involved as artistic director since 2007, he will also introduce ‘Kamiyo of the River’, Nelson Mandela’s favourite folklore from Eastern Cape, together with two Japanese picture books, through reading and music which Motoki specially composed for these stories. Motoki will play both piano and marimba for this fascinating project. (Pretoria, South Africa)

Concert / Media
6 - 8 March 2017
Fine Music Radio (Cape Town, South Africa)

Concert / Picture Books Project
Mon, 6 March 2017 - 10:00-12:30

Piano Recital at the Japanese School in Johannesburg in celebration of its 50th Anniversary, supported by Embassy of Japan in South Africa and University of Pretoria. As part of ‘The World of Folklore and Picture Books Project’, in which Motoki has been involved as artistic director since 2007, he will also introduce ‘Kamiyo of the River’, Nelson Mandela’s favorite folklore from Eastern Cape, together with two Japanese picture books, to a broad audience including the schoolchildren through reading and music which Motoki specially composed for these stories. In addition, Motoki will perform his grandfather’s famous song ‘Yurikago’ (‘Cradle Song’ composed by Kozaburo Hirai) with a female voice choir based in Johannesburg. (South Africa)