Profile

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Shigeru Ishikawa is one of the foremost doublebassist of his generation, both as a performer and a teacher. He is currently the principal doublebass(Solo Kontrabass) of the BernerSymphonieOrchester in Bern, Switzerland, which he started in 2006. His performance has been described as “irresistible charm”( Der Bund ), “jewel of a crown” ( Miami Herald ), “deep-rumbling bravura with athletic, fleet-fingered virtuosity” ( Sun Sentinel ).

He was the principal bassist of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra from 1997 to 2003 under the music directors of James Judd and Joseph Silverstein. Prior to that, he served as the guest principal bass with the New Japan Philharmonic in 1996 under Seiji Ozawa Music Director and was the principal bass of the New World Symphony Orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas from 1993 to 1996. He has been also the member of Saito Kinen Orchestra (Seiji Ozawa, Music Director) since 1992 where he participated in numerous recordings on Philips and Decca label. Maestro Ozawa chose him as the solo bassist (Chamber Orchestra) of Saito Kinen Orchestra for Britten’s War Requiem both in Japan and US tour in 2009 and 2010 and recorded on Decca label. 

In addition to his orchestral activities, Shigeru Ishikawa regularly presents solo and chamber music performances. Since 1991 he has given numerous recitals both in Japan and USA , places including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Matsumoto, Sapporo, New York, Miami, Boca Raton, and has appeared in radio broadcast in both countries. In 2009, his Recital in Tokyo was broadcasted by NHK, Japan’s national television network, and especially Franck’s violin sonata performed on bass brought sensation throughout Japan.　In U.S.A, he has released CD with Trio Tres Amigo with oboe and piano. He has also appeared as a soloist to perform concertos, such as Koussevitzky concerto with Lynn Philharmonic, Bottesini Tarantella with Renaissance Chamber Orchestra and BottesiniPassioneAmorosa with BernerSymphonieOrchester. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with Berlin Quartet, IvryGitlis, members of Boston Symphony Orchestra, Bolomeo String Quartet.

As a winner of JAA music award in New York in 1991, he gave a New York debut recital in Carnegie Hall. He is also the prize winner of Bass94 International Doublebass Competition in 1994 in Avignon, France. In 1999, he was invited to give a recital at the International Society of Bassists convention in U.S.A.

He is also known as a supreme teacher with modern doublebass technic. He served on the faculty of Boston Conservatory from 1996 to 1997 and after he came to Florida, he has taught at Harid Conservatory, LynnUniversity and FloridaAtlanticUniversity. Both in Japan and U.S.A, he regularly gives master classes and the influence is largely acclaimed.

He received his Bachelor of Economics degree from Keio University in Tokyo, Japan, and his Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School of Music in 1992.In addition, he has studied at Yale School of Music and Toho Gakuen School of Music.His primary bass instructors have been Eugene Levinson, Gary Karr, Edwin Barker and ShunsakuTsutsumi. 

Discography