Sad death of London-based Japanese pianist

Sad death of London-based Japanese pianist

RIP

norman lebrecht

September 22, 2023

Friends have reported the death after a long illness of the enterprising Masayuki Tayama, a competition winning Japanese pianist who, during Covid, ran a luxurious Piano Boat on canals in and around London.

He contionued all the while to maintain an international recital career and to teach at leading institutes,, In 2021, he was appointed Director of The Piano Teachers’ Course UK, the country’s leading professional development course for piano teachers.

Comments

  • Phillip Sear says:

    That is incredibly sad. I believe that the Piano Boat is still operating (from their website they were taking bookings for the upcoming Christmas season).

  • Herbie G says:

    An awesome virtuoso who could sail through the most challenging repertoire without breaking sweat. RIP

  • Hugh Mather says:

    Terrible news. A charming and modest man who was a phenomenal pianist. Here is a clip of him playing Rachmaninov at St Mary’s Perivale a few years ago – awesome ! May he rest in peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If40kuXcfig

  • David says:

    That is incredibly sad news. My partner and I were privileged to have been on the first afternoon tea cruise post lock down and we went back for a second Both Masa and Rhiana were superb hosts, Masa’s recital and commentary each time were brilliant and he will be sorely missed by everyone. Our condolences and thoughts are with Rhiana and Masa’s family at this sad time.

  • Alice McVeigh says:

    He played brilliantly. Devastated to hear.

  • Cynthia Mcmullen says:

    This is so sad, he and his wife have brought wonderful music in a setting it deserves. He will be missed very much even by people like myself who do not know him personally

  • Pamela C. says:

    He played last February with the WSO and was scheduled to return for tonight’s autumn concert. A talent taken too soon.

  • Meg says:

    Masa played many times at the Hitchin Summer Festival and was always wonderful to see and hear – such a sad loss.

  • MOST READ TODAY: