Tomohiro HATTA is a rising Japanese pianist on the international scene
His virtuosity, technical brilliance and sensitivity drew attention amongst the most prestigious living pianists such as Billy Eidi and Caio Pagano.
Born in 1986 in Sapporo, he began studying piano at the age of five and, from the age of ten, trained at the Sapporo Conservatoire. In Japan, he was awarded the Bronze and Silver Prizes in the PTNA National Final Competition, Category F, for two consecutive years, as well as the Maeda Prize of Senzoku Gakuen, among other top prizes in various national competitions. He is a graduate of the 10th Hamamatsu International Academy.
In 2005, after graduating from Hokkaido Sapporo Hiragishi High School with the School Honor Award, he moved to France to enter the École Normale de Musique de Paris. In 2006, he obtained the Diplôme d’exécution with unanimous distinction, and in 2007, the Diplôme supérieur d’exécution, both from the École Normale de Musique de Paris. During this time, he was awarded the Fuji Television Scholarship. In 2008, he entered the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Paris, where he graduated in 2011 with unanimous first prize. In 2012 and 2013, he obtained the highest diplomas in Chamber Music at the Conservatoire de Gennevilliers, again with unanimous distinction. In 2010, he earned his Bachelor’s degree from the Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco (Portugal), and in 2016 completed his Master’s degree with the highest possible score. He has studied with Makiko Endo, Toshiyuki Miyazawa, Billy Eidi, Paulo Álvares, and Caio Pagano.
Tomohiro HATTA has won numerous international awards, including First Prize with unanimous praise at the Maria Campina International Competition (Portugal); Third Prize and the Smetana Prize at the Rudolf Firkušný International Piano Competition (Czech Republic); Third Prize at the Istanbul Orchestra Sion International Piano Competition (Turkey); Third Prize and Special Prize at the Princess Lalla Meryem International Piano Competition (Morocco); Second Prize at the Alexandre Scriabine International Competition (France); youngest semi-finalist at the Porto International Piano Competition (Portugal); and semi-finalist at the Long-Thibaud International Piano Competition (France).
At the age of 17, he made his concerto debut with the Saint Petersburg Symphony Orchestra at the Sheremetev Palace, Russia. He later appeared as a soloist with the Orchestre de l’Académie de Mezin (France), the Orquestra Moden at the Queluz Palace (Portugal), and the Art Ensemble Orchestra (Portugal). In France, he has performed at venues including the Cortot Hall, Les Invalides, and the Paris Olympia; at festivals such as the 25th Paris Chopin Festival and the 11th and 12th Carré des Jeunes Talents; and his performances have been praised in publications such as La République. His concert at the Salle Pleyel in “Bon Anniversaire Monsieur Chopin” was recorded and broadcast by France 3 Television. He has also performed at Prague’s Rudolfinum-Dvořák Hall, home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and appeared in live broadcasts on Portugal’s national radio Antena 2, including the opening concert of the Chopin Year 2010, heard worldwide.
In 2010, marking the 150th anniversary of the Japan–Portugal Treaty of Amity and Commerce, he formed the piano duo MusicOrba with Portuguese pianist Ricardo Vieira, performing in Portugal, Japan, and at the Portuguese Embassy in Paris. With MusicOrba and as a soloist, he has performed at the Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris and in numerous cities across Portugal. In Cape Verde, at the invitation of the Portuguese Embassy and Instituto Camões, he gave the first-ever concerts by a Japanese pianist in Praia and Mindelo. He has also performed in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, India, Turkey, Panama, and in Pafos, European Capital of Culture 2017. In 2018, he successfully completed an 18-city tour of China, and in 2024 returned for another tour, performing in a total of about 30 cities across both tours.
His discography includes world premiere recordings of works by Alfredo Keil (Portugal) and, in 2016, an entire CD dedicated to João Guilherme Daddi. His first album with MusicOrba is available, as is a recording with French violinist Christophe Boulier.
He is currently Professor of Piano and Accompaniment in a conservatoire in the Yvelines department near Paris, and a full member of the Piano Teachers’ National Association of Japan (PTNA). He resides in France.
