Sara Kobayashi - For you - Japan CD

Credits:

Sara Kobayashi

Description:

A collection of songs filled with gratitude and love, released to mark the 20th anniversary of her debut. An album dedicated from Sara Kobayashi to “you” “Dedication: Songs for You” is soprano Sara Kobayashi’s fourth album, produced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her debut. As her first release on her own independent label, it was created with gratitude toward everyone who has supported her thus far and with the desire to deliver these songs to each and every “you.” The album features the title track, Schumann’s *Dedication*, along with such renowned art songs as Schubert’s *To Music*, Fauré’s *After the Dream*, and Debussy’s *A Beautiful Sunset*. It also features a diverse repertoire, including an original composition by coba titled “To You” and a classical arrangement of Kenshi Yonezu’s “Globe.” From German, French, Italian, and British art songs to Japanese art songs and even popular songs, this album encapsulates Sara Kobayashi’s 20-year journey and her gratitude for music. It is a collection of songs sung with love, prayer, and gratitude. Soprano Graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts and its graduate school. She furthered her studies in Vienna and Rome. She made her European debut in 2012 in *Gianni Schicchi* at the Bulgarian National Opera. In addition to performing in numerous premieres of new operas, she has appeared in *The Marriage of Figaro* directed by Hideki Noda, *Carmen* by the Fujiwara Opera Company, the nationwide co-production operas *Don Giovanni*, *Yuzuru*, and *Senhime*, *The Path from Blessing* by Michiyoshi Inoue, *Don Giovanni* conducted by Yutaka Sado, and in 2025, the role of Emma in *Emma and the Blue Bak*, among other highly anticipated productions. She has also given recitals across the country and held a solo recital at London’s Wigmore Hall in 2019. She has performed works from five countries—the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan—earning rave reviews from local critics. In 2025, she held the recital “Singing of Love” with Kotaro Fukuma (piano) and Yukiya Kitamura (narration), which was highly acclaimed. She has also performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras in Japan and abroad, performing works such as Mahler’s Symphonies Nos. 4 and 8, Fauré’s “Requiem,” Mozart’s “Requiem,” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and Vaughan Williams’ “Pastoral Symphony” and “Symphony of the Sea,” among others. She is the recipient of the 27th Idemitsu Music Award and the 20th Hotel Okura Music Award. She is a member of the Japan Vocal Academy and a member of the Fujiwara Opera Company. She is an associate professor at Osaka University of Arts. Piano She graduated from the Music Department of Toho Girls’ High School and Toho Gakuen University, and completed her graduate studies at the same university. She has previously served as a part-time accompanist in the Vocal Department at Toho Gakuen University and as a pianist at the Nikikai Training Institute. Highly regarded for her ensemble skills, she has earned deep trust by performing nationwide as a recital partner for many artists, including Sara Kobayashi, Mutsumi Hatano, and Sumire Hirotsuru. Her performance in “Portrait of Shinichiro Ikebe,” organized by the Art Tower Mito, was included in Shinichiro Ikebe’s Chamber Music Collection III, “The Flower of Sango-ju.” She has also participated in numerous CD recordings, including albums by soprano Sara Kobayashi. She has also expanded her range of activities in various fields, including providing voice-over work for the hands and musical sounds of the protagonist (played by Juri Ueno) in the blockbuster TV drama and film series *Nodame Cantabile*, as well as serving as a musical coach on set. SSSOUNDS