Mitsuru Yamakawa was born in Sendai (Japan). After graduating from The Tokyo College of Music (Japan), he studied at The Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw (Poland), and studied at The Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot (France). After he obtained his diploma for « Diplôme Supérieure d’Exécution », he continued to study for his « Concertist degree » and obtained a « Aufbaustudium » Diploma «with Honors with Distinction» at the Friedrich Gulda School of Music in Vienna (Austria).

« I have known Mitsuru Yamakawa for several years and he is a fantastic young pianist with a great talent and very dedicated personality. I keep a moving memory of many of his performances, among others Ravel « oiseaux tristes » with a magic sound and deep sensitivity, Mendelssohn « variations sérieuses » full of energy and control, and Brahms Intermezzi opus 117 with fantastic sense of structure and profound feelings.

Next to his remarkable musical qualities, Mitsuru has also great human qualities and his humility and sweet personality has made it always a real pleasure to work with him and for his friends and colleagues to be around him.

I want to testify here that I am very confident that Mitsuru Yamakawa has a great future as pianist and teacher.»

Philippe Raskin, pianist

Artistic Director at César Franck International Piano Competition Artistic Director at IMF Paris International Piano Competition Professor at Friedrich Gulda School of Music Wien Professor at Talent Music Master Courses University of Music

«I have heard Mitsuru Yamakawa several times in concert and his musical and artistic talent is indeed as impressive as it is original. The rhythmic vitality in sonatas of Beethoven and Prokofiev, the poignant and nostalgic accents of Brahms and Mendelssohn and the wide variety of colors in Debussy make the performances of Mitsuru Yamakawa profound artistic experiences»

Michael WLADKOWSKI, Pianist and Professor of piano Ecole Normale de Paris “Alfred Cortot”

Mitsuru Yamakawa won the 1st Prize and « Grand Prix » at The Cyprus International Music Competition 2022 (Cyprus), a 1st Absolute Prize at the « Smederevo International Piano Competition » (Serbia), a 1st Prize at « Silkway International Music Competition Alexander Scriabin » (Russia), a 2nd Prize at the « Paris International Music Competition» (France), a 2nd Prize at « Danubia Talents Liszt International Music Competition» (Hungary) , a 2nd Prize at « Beethoven International Music Competition for Young Musicians Vienna» (Austria), a special Prize « Diplôme de Mérite » at « Lyon International Piano Competition » (France) » and 4 Prizes at « Excellence Piano Awards International Competition » among others the best « Rachmaninov Prize ».

In addition, he is prize winner of many other piano competitions, such as Chatu International Piano Competition "Cecil Edel Latos", the Grand International Piano Competition "Svetlana Eganian" (France), Caneres International Music Competition Vienna,BTHVN Wien Music Competition (Austria), Cittta di Saint Dona di Piave International Piano Competition (Italy), London Classical International Music Competition(UK). In total, Mitsuru Yamakawa won prizes in more than 10 international piano competitions.

Mitsuru plays all over the world and gave recitals in Japan, France, Italy, Poland, Austria, Croatia, etc. in important halls such as Miyagino Cultural Center Patona Hall, Sendai Silver Center Exchange Hall, The Tokyo College of Music 100th Anniversary Hall (Japan), Salle Cortot, Jean Jacques-Henner National Museum( France), Tadinia Academy Concert Hall, Cathedral Santa Maria in Valvendra (Italy), Paderewski Music School Concert Hall (Poland), Ehlber Saal (Austria), Jakova Gotovca Concert Hall, Josip Hatze Music School Concert Hall (Croatia), etc. He also played in several Festivals: Fete de la Musique Paris 2021 (France), Tarnów International Piano Festival (Poland), Piano Loop Festival "Piano 24" (Croatia), AMP Chamber Music Evening Vienna (Austria), The Solo Recital hosted by Yamaha Music Sendai Store, One Coin Concert hosted by Miyagino Cultural Center (Japan), etc.

Mitsuru also plays regularly with orchestra, among others the « Tarnow Chamber Orchestra » in 2021 (Poland).

Mitsuru Yamakawa studied piano with several Professors: Yoshikazu Jumei, Hironao Suzuki, Ramiro Sanjines, Jerzy Romaniuk, Guigla Katsarava, Michael Wladkowski and Philippe Raskin. He also studied chamber music with Cloud Lelong and Elisaveta Lisa Koroleva. He took several masterclasses by: Masahi Katayama, A. Rossler, A. Florich, G. Nader, J. Domanska, J.P. Collard, K. Tkacewski, L. Morales, N. Trull, R. Andres, S.Fiuzzi, S. Eganian, V. Bonnecaze, V. Balzani, Vovka Ashkenazy, O. Kern, etc.

Mitsuru worked as an assistant of Prof. P. Raskin at the Interpretation School of Music in Kraainem (Belgium). He is also one of the Jury member at «Yamaha Junior Piano Competition» (Japan).

In December 2022,He will be invited the part of member of the organization team of César Franck International Piano Competition.

In January 2023, he will present the world premiere of "Furusato" (Teiichi Okano) arranged by composer Tetsuya Yamamoto.