MARIKO HARA
Mariko Hara launched her musical career at the tender age of 16, debuting as a violin soloist with The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.
Her musical journey took a significant turn in 2005 when she discovered her passion for the viola, enchanted by its deeper, more resonant sound. This marked the beginning of her flourishing career as both a solo and chamber musician, captivating audiences in Europe and her native Japan.
She has performed in some of the world’s most renowned concert halls, for example, Wigmore Hall in London, Beethoven Haus in Bonn, Wiener Konzerthaus and Tokyo Opera City Hall. As a soloist, she has appeared with various orchestras, notably the Duisburg Philharmonie and the Georgian Symphony Orchestra. Mariko’s festival performances have taken her to prestigious events, such as the Verbier Festival, Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, Casals Festival, Yellow Barn, and Tiroler Festspiel Erl.
Her artistic achievements have been supported by scholarships from respected institutions, including the Hugo de Senger Foundation and the Mozart Gesellschaft in Dortmund. The release of her first CD, Fantasie, was met with international acclaim and glowing reviews. German critics praised her brilliant viola playing, stating, “Brilliant Viola: Whether Schumann, Brahms, or Hindemith, everything is there - emotions, timbres, the will to express and shape,“ as noted by the Swiss magazine Musik & Theater in June 2013. “Absolutely remarkable!“ concluded the Wiener Zeitung on July 4, 2013. Earlier, in May 2013, AUDIO magazine ended a glowing review with “Mariko Hara: a promising talent.“
Mariko is deeply committed to sharing the unique beauty of the viola, striving to bring to light an instrument often overshadowed, through her mesmerizing performances.
Her exceptional skills earned her the 2nd prize at the International Brahms Competition, along with prestigious titles, notably Best of NRW and Young Artist of the Mozart Society Dortmund, which opened numerous doors for her, especially in Germany. Mariko was fortunate to be mentored by renowned musicians, among them Nobuko Imai, Antoine Tamestit, and Steven Isserlis, who later became her collaborators. She joined a circle of distinguished artists, including Elisabeth Leonskaja, Christian Tetzlaff, Pavel Vernikov and Arto Noras.