The Japanese cellist of the Israel Philharmonic

We are saddened to learn of the death, aged 77, of Yoshiuki Yamagishi, a former member of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Yoshi was a student of  Zvi Harel, who played prncipal cello for several years in one of the Tokyo orchestras. When Zvi returned to Israel, Yoshi came too. He learned fluent Hebrew and joined Gari Bertini’s chamber ensemble around 1968 before landing a seat in the Israel Philharmonic.

Gil Sharon recalls: ‘He married a Japanese girl, I was at his wedding at the Japanese residence in Tel Aviv, and had 3 sons, all born in Israel. After a few years he returned to Japan where he conducted and played and became a manager for orchestra tours. I met him again in Tokyo about 13 years ago and he still spoke good Hebrew. Yoshi was a wonderful musician, person and friend and he will be missed.’