Shirai-san is a wanderer between two worlds. Living in Tokio and Vienna, he describes himself as Kei-kun: neophyte (learner). With this attitude be developed our ensemble staidly.
Since 2020 started for Kei Shirai as a concertmaster of the most renowned orchestra in Japan, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, a new chapter of his musical life. As a soloist he performed with the NHK Symphony Orchestra and the most other Japanese Symphony Orchestras. In Europe he played the concerto of Johannes Brahms with the Czech Philharmonic in Prague.
Japanese violinist Kei Shirai was born in Trinidad and Tobago and began playing the violin at the age of three. As a child he was taught by Tsugio Tokunaga and, while studying at Geidai University of the Arts in Tokyo, by Chikashi Tanaka and Miyoko Yamane-Goldberg. Upon his graduation in 2007, Kei Shirai was awarded a Japanese Government Scholarship to continue his studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna with Johannes Meissl. Among his awards at major international competitions are the second prize and the audience prize at the 2009 ARD Competition in Munich.
Kei enjoys a multi-faceted career as a recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. His concert engagements take him frequently to Japan’s biggest venues and festivals. In Europe he performs regularly with the Stefan Zweig Trio. In Japan he member of the Trio Accord and music director of the Revolution Ensemble.
LCP Repertoire Highlights: Beethoven Septet, Sarasate Gipsy tales, Gadel Tango
