Ken Ara - Mozart: Piano Sonata Nos. 11 & 17; Rondo in D Major, K. 485; Fantasie in D Minor, K. 397 (2026) [Hi-Res]

Ken Ara (aka Kenichi Ara, 1939 – 2020) was a Japanese classical pianist. After his debut concert in Tokyo in 1963, he travelled to Germany to study at the Berlin University of the Arts. His German debut with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1966 was a success and led to further performances with the Berlin Philharmonic. These concerts were highly praised, earning him great acclaim and cementing his status as an international pianist. He subsequently performed with orchestras throughout Europe, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Czech Philharmonic, and with all the major orchestras in Japan, including the NHK Symphony Orchestra and the Osaka Philharmonic, and gave concerts all over the world. An ambitious chamber musician, he founded the Berlin Philharmonic Piano Trio. In addition, he taught young musicians at Kyoto City University of Arts and Osaka University of Arts.

His upcoming album of piano works by Mozart is released on 6 February as part of DG’s debut series, which presents first or very early recordings by artists who went on to build considerable careers. Listen to a second pre-release track of Mozart’s Fantasie in D Minor.