Duo Nostalgia

The collaboration between Yu Kosuge and Makoto Yoshida on this recording dedicated to Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann is the natural result of two deeply solid and complementary artistic paths, shaped through years of individual development and meaningful musical encounters.

Based in Berlin, Yu Kosuge has built a distinguished international career since her early debut with orchestra in Japan. Trained in Europe and guided by figures such as Seiji Ozawa, her artistic development has been marked by superlative technique, refined sensitivity, and a profound understanding of repertoire. Her presence on major stages across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, along with an extensive discography—including complete Beethoven cycles and multiple recordings for Sony Classical—establishes her as a leading figure in today’s international piano scene. In this album, her interpretation is distinguished by a free, transparent touch that creates a richly expressive sonic space.

For his part, Makoto Yoshida, born in Hyogo Prefecture, has developed a multifaceted career as a clarinetist, supported by studies in Paris, Geneva, and Brussels, as well as awards in major international competitions. His interpretative style, marked by a slightly rustic tone and a distinctive classical charm, reflects both his academic training and his connection to Japanese musical tradition, further enriched by his collaboration with shakuhachi master Fujiwara Dōzan. His career includes contemporary premieres, collaborations with leading chamber ensembles, and an active presence as both soloist and cultural organizer in Japan. In this recording, his sound—deep and organic—adds an expressive dimension that blends naturally with the piano.

The encounter between the two artists is crystallized in their interpretation of Brahms’ clarinet sonatas, late works that find in this duo an intimate and mature reading, as well as in Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, where their artistic synergy—built over time—becomes evident. The recording, made in the renowned Hakuju Hall, known for its exceptional acoustics, allows the timbral richness of both performers to be heard with great clarity.

Their project is conceived as a historical nod to the earliest interpretations of these works, which in the hands of Kosuge and Yoshida acquire an evocative and delicate character. Thus, this project not only documents an artistic collaboration but also captures the convergence of two established careers that, when brought together, reveal a shared musical vision that is balanced, refined, and deeply expressive.