David Takeno FGS

Biography

Born in Tokyo, David Takeno began to play the violin at an early age performing solos with orchestras from the age of eight, first in New Zealand and soon afterwards in America, Israel and Europe.

The main influence in his musical education was with Emmanuel Zetlin in Seattle and Ramy Shevelov in Tel Aviv.

During the 60s he moved to London, where he formed various chamber music ensembles and was a member of the Menuhin Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra and Academy St Martins. Since 1976, he has devoted his time to teaching and has taught at the Menuhin School, Cambridge University and at the Guildhall School where he holds the post of 'Eugène Ysaÿe International Chair of Violin'.

His broad interest in and enthusiasm for music, past and present, have encouraged pupils in a wide range of fields, from Rachel Podger and Pavlo Beznosiuk in baroque performance to Anthony Marwood and Carolin Widmann who have championed many new works. Past students hold active positions in the profession, performing and teaching throughout the world.

In 1998 he was awarded the W W Cobbett Medal for services to chamber music by the Worshipful Company of Musician, and in 2009, the Golden Award from the University of Belgrade. In 2010 he was awarded the Association of British Orchestras Award, marking his contribution to excellence in British orchestral music-making through his teaching.