Described as a ‘once-in-a generation talent’, the young Japanese violinist will release her debut EP in May
The 13-year-old Japanese violinist Himari has signed an exclusive contract with Decca Classics – the youngest ever female artist to sign to the renowned record label. The violinist has been described as a ‘once in a generation talent’.
Himari is set to release her debut EP on 23 May 2025, preceded by two singles: Carmen Fantasy by Franz Waxman and Romance by Amy Beach.
Born Himari Yoshimura on 24 June 2011 in Japan, Himari began playing the violin at the age of three, studying under Koichiro Harada and Machie Oguri, and made her orchestral debut at the age of six.
Since 2022, she has been studying at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, US, with renowned teacher Ida Kavafian, who has remarked: ‘If you’re listening to Himari and you close your eyes, you wouldn’t realise her age. Inside Himari, there is an older person and a wise musician… she’s immensely talented.’
About her signing, Himari says: ‘I am very happy to be signing with Decca Classics! I hope you enjoy my performances through the recordings!’
Himari has won numerous competition prizes including the grand prizes at the Arthur Grumiaux Competition in Belgium (2019) and the International Competition for Young Violinists in Honor of Karol Lipinski and Henryk Wieniawski, Lublin, Poland (2021), as well as the 26th Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition in Italy and the Kogan International Violin Competition in Belgium.
In a series of concerts from 20–22 March 2025, Himari makes her European debut with the Berlin Philharmonic under Sebastien Wiegle at the Philharmonie , where she plays Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto no.1 in F sharp minor.
Of her upcoming debut Himari says: ‘Since childhood, I have had the privilege of experiencing performances by the Berlin Philharmonic … and have long dreamt of the day I would perform alongside them.’
Himari plays the 1717 ‘Hamma’ Stradivari on generous loan from Mr Yusaku Maezawa. Her bow is on loan from the Munetsugu Collection.
Read: Violinist Himari Yoshimura signs with KD SCHMID
Watch: Himari Yoshimura, 7, plays Paganini at Grumiaux Competition
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