Violinist Ken Aiso is internationally recognized as one of today’s most musical and versatile soloists and chamber musicians. Mr. Aiso is praised not only for his singularly beautiful tone, but also for the unique atmosphere of intimacy he evokes as he draws in his audiences.

A prizewinner of the coveted Long-Thibaud Concours in Paris and the highly regarded International Music Competition of Japan in Tokyo, Mr. Aiso has appeared as a soloist in televised and broadcast concerts with orchestras such as the BBC Symphony, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Tokyo Symphony. As a recitalist, he has performed widely in Europe, the United States and Japan with appearances at prestigious concert halls including Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Rachmaninov Hall in Moscow, Salle Pleyel and Salle Gaveau in Paris, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. In 2003 he was honoured to appear as soloist before the Emperor and Empress of Japan and in 2004, he founded the critically acclaimed AISO Quartet.

Mr. Aiso has been invited to perform at renowned International festivals including Menuhin, Cheltenham, Aldeburgh, Lidköping and IMS Prussia Cove, and collaborated with Steven Isserlis, Nelson Goerner, Lynn Harrell, David Leisner and John Surman amongst others. He received his musical education in Tokyo, Dallas and London studying with Chikashi Tanaka, Eduard Schmieder and Erich Gruenberg as well as receiving tuitions in masterclasses by Ruggiero Ricci, Ida Haendel, Ivry Gitlis, Abram Shtern and Ferenc Rados. His empathy with contemporary music has resulted in several commissions and premieres of works by Alasdair Nicolson, Jonathan Lloyd, Yui Kakinuma, Paul Chihara, Richard Michael and Howard Moody. Mr. Aiso is a unique exponent of Musimime which combines his gift of miming and musical improvisation.

With a strong commitment to education and a special rapport with young people, Mr. Aiso is in great demand for his highly creative and inspiring music workshops in partnership with Howard Moody. Mr. Aiso is a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London where he was elected an Associate in 2005. In addition, he has been invited to teach at International festivals including Sangat in Mumbai and Montecito Summer Music Festival in the United States. Born and raised in Japan, Mr. Aiso resides in the U.K. with his wife, violist Annette Isserlis.

Visit Ken Aiso at www.kenaiso.net