It’s an honour and a privilege for Vivamus to be working with renowned cellist Yuki Ito for our upcoming performance of Duruflé’s Requiem. Here, he chats to us about how he first became a cellist, and what he’s looking forward to next.
How did your journey into music begin?
Before picking up a cello at the age of 6, I played the violin for a short while. As a very stubborn 5-year-old, upset with my teacher sitting down whilst I was standing, I insisted I must be sitting on a seat to play an instrument – this is how I ended up playing the cello! I have been playing it for 28 years since then.
Do you have any recent career highlights?
Amongst a variety of works I perform, I specialise in Rachmaninoff. My debut album released in 2012 was “Rachmaninoff Complete Cello Works”, and my Wigmore recital debut in 2018 was an “All Rachmaninoff” recital. 2023 marked the composer’s 150th birth anniversary, and I published a monograph on Rachmaninoff, “Thoughts on Rachmaninoff”. The book consists of everything I have acquired through over 20 years of studying the composer, both on performing stage and researching. For the time being it is only available in Japanese, but I am hoping to release the English version sometime soon!
Also, this year in May, I will release my first concerto album, “Johan de Meij: Works for Cello and Orchestra”, including works I commissioned the world-renowned composer to write, with maestro de Meij himself on the podium. It will be released worldwide, so I hope you have a chance to listen to it when it’s out!
What are you looking forward to about working with Vivamus?
I am very much looking forward to working with Vivamus on Duruflé’s Requiem. I have long desired to play the beautiful Pie Jesu’s solo cello, and I am very happy it will finally happen.
Thank you, Rufus, for asking me to join a concert with this great London choir. I am very much looking forward to working with you and Vivamus!
Book your tickets to see Yuki and Vivamus perform Duruflé’s Requiem on Friday 19th April, 7:45pm, at St Mary’s Bourne Street near Sloane Square.