Masayuki Tayama

Tayama first came to prominence when he won First Prize in the Takahiro Sonada International Piano Competition in Japan, followed by numerous top prizes in Europe including the Brant Birmingham International Piano Competition and the Grand Konzerteum International Piano Competition in Greece.
His first recording of the two Rachmaninov sonatas was chosen by Stereo magazine as one of the Best Recordings of the Month, and his second CD of complete Rachmaninov Etudes-Tableaux will be released shortly, followed during 2009-10 by the composer’s complete works for solo piano.
Tayama lives in London, performs extensively in Europe and returns regularly to Japan for recital and concerto appearances. His recital at Toppan Hall in Tokyo in 2005 was broadcast on Nikkei national Radio in Japan, and his performances of Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.3 with Osaka Symphonika at The Symphony Hall in Osaka, twice on the same day in July 2006 were hailed as “re-inventing the image of Rachmaninoff”. He made his USA debut in January 2006 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, where the recital was broadcast live on the Internet.
His first London concert appearance was in 2002 at the South Bank’s Purcell Room, and in 2003 he gave his concerto debut at the Fairfield Halls, both of which were met with critical acclaim. Most recently he made his first Cadogan Hall concerto appearance, and gave his debut recital to a full house audience at the Wigmore Hall.
His recent performances with orchestra include Rachmaninov Piano Concertos Nos.2, 3, 4 and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and the two Piano Concertos by Brahms, collaborating with conductors including Stephen Bell, Adrian Brown, Darrell Davison, John Gibbons, Levon Parikian and Vladimir Válek.
He teaches regularly at the Advanced Piano Course at Edgeworth House in Arlesey, and has given Master Classes for the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA).
He studied at Toho University of Music in Tokyo, and later was awarded a Fellowship under the Japanese Government Overseas Study Programme for Artists to study in the UK, where he gained the Performer's Diploma with Honours from both the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Official Website: www.masatayama.com