Uncovering her own interpretations: the latest from violinist Coco Tomita

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The last time you spoke to The Strad was during the pandemic. How do you feel about your career now?

Time truly flies! I began my bachelor’s studies at the Hochschule fur Musik Hanns Eisler, Berlin, shortly after the pandemic began, and I’m now approaching graduation next year. My experience in Berlin has been incredibly fulfilling, and I feel deeply connected to this vibrant city and its myriad opportunities.

Alongside my studies, I’ve continued to perform at various venues across the UK with the wonderful pianist Simon Callaghan. This year, we expanded our reach to include cities like Dubai. One of the highlights of my year was recording our second album, Echoes, which was an exhilarating experience. I hope it resonates with many people!

Additionally, working with the team at Askonas Holt has been both eye-opening and a privilege and I am extremely grateful for such a partnership. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting numerous like-minded musicians and music enthusiasts through my Hochschule, as well as at various festivals, masterclasses, and concerts. I am eagerly anticipating what the future holds!

Tell us a little bit about your new album, Echoes. What can listeners expect?

The idea to record a second album emerged in 2023. The wonderful and encouraging response to our first album, Origins, led our team to believe it was the perfect time to embark on the next project. This album is a beautiful exploration of landscapes, vividly capturing the emotional narratives of Eastern Europe. It features works by Janáček, Enescu, Prokofiev, and others. The chosen compositions weave a powerful narrative that resonates deeply with themes of resilience and evocative memory, all intertwined with the rustic charm of folk music.

I selected these works for their raw emotional impact and their brilliance as works of art. I have had the pleasure of working on these pieces over the past few years, and with time, I have been able to uncover and articulate my own interpretations, which I can’t wait to share.

Your new album features your 16-year-old sister, Yume, who is also a violinist! What’s it like collaborating with her, and where is currently in her musical journey?

We have been playing together since we were very young, so collaborating, even in a recording setting, felt very natural for both of us. We had a lot of fun with the two folk duos on the album, Baladă şi joc by Ligeti and the traditional Irish song Danny Boy, which pushed us beyond our comfort zones. It was a great joy to capture a sisterly moment in an album that we can cherish forever.

Yume is performing at an incredibly high level, especially for her age, and it’s wonderful to see her taking such command of the instrument while displaying remarkable brilliance in her playing. Currently, she is studying at the Yehudi Menuhin School and has a couple of years left before she ventures out into the world to further discover and develop her personal style and musicianship. I look forward to collaborating and sharing the stage more in the future. 

You were loaned a Stradivari violin to play on for your last album. What instrument are you playing on now?

I have been performing for over a year now on a beautiful Guadagnini violin loaned kindly from Florian Leonhard Fine Violins. 

Echoes is out on Orchid Classics on 13 September 2024. Coco and Yume Tomita perform Danny Boy in the video below:

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