Back

WFIMC Café: Yuki Hirano

Artists

The Vienna-based Violinist talks about the Heifetz Competition in Vilnius

WFIMC: What is your best memory of Lithuania and the Heifetz Competition?

Yuki Hirano: Definitely: playing the Sibelius Competition with orchestra. It was the first time for me to play the entire concerto, and I had a really great time making music with a wonderful conductor and orchestra. Apart from that, I really liked the Lithuanian Academy of Music, where I spend most days, which had a lot of photos of Heifetz on display. I took a lot of pictures myself!

Lithuania is a very beautiful country, and the people were very warm hearted and supportive, I am really grateful for that. Unfortunately, I did not have much time for sightseeing. But thanks to the competition I will have the opportunity to visit Lithuania again, and next time I will definitely try to see more of this wonderful place.

What was your goal at the Heifetz competition? 

Competitions require a lot of repertoire in a short period of time. The program consisted of works of different characters and different eras, and the way to express each of them differently was quite a challenge for me. Also, many of the pieces were new to me this time, and there were no recordings for some of them, so you had to work really hard to study the intentions of the composers and create your own idea of the piece. It's important for me that the audience can enjoy the music, and this is what makes me happy, so giving my best for everyone was really my goal.

Are you familiar with the style of Heifetz, and do you listen to his recordings?

I listen to Heifetz's performances a lot. His wonderful musicianship and technique are the envy of everyone. I always think how incredible it would have been to actually hear him play live…

How do you cope with pressure during a competition? Are you nervous when you go on stage? Do you have any routine before you go and play?

Of course I get nervous, but I try to think of it as a concert, even if it is a competition, and enjoy performing. Music is a conversation. If I ask something, I get a response in return. I am very proud and honored to be able to convey the beauty and emotions of the work to the audience through the sound. 

Also, I always wear the same perfume before a concert. It is my lucky charm.

How do you enjoy life in Europe? 

Everything is so stimulating! I am studying in Vienna, and it is a wonderful environment to learn and try your hand at many things, not just solo violin, but also orchestra music and chamber music. I have also met friends with whom I can study together, and I am really happy to be able to learn music from teachers I respect and love.

Are you planning on taking on more competitions? What are your future plans? Will you take auditions as well?

I don't know what the future will hold, but I am very happy that I am able to play the violin and make music with many different people, and share the world of music with the audience at concerts. I hope that I will still be able to play the violin in 20 or 30 years' time, and I want to keep challenging myself!

 

©2025WFIMC/FR

 

Yuki Hirano grew up in Sapporo, the capital of Japan's northern island. In 2017, she came to the national stage by winning the 1st prize at the All-Japan Student Music Competition and receiving the special prize by the Suntory Foundation for the Arts – and she was given an Angelo Toppani violin from 1740 on a loan. In April 2024, at the age of 19, she won the 1st prize at the Vienna Classic Violin Competition. She did not only receive 1st prize for her fabulous lecture at the Classic Violin Olympus International Competition, but also was invited to the grand final held in Dubai. She was also awarded 2nd prize at the Ysaÿe International Music Competition in 2024. She has received scholarship from the Munetsugu Angel Fund-Federation of Musicians Japan, and became a scholarship holder of the 2023 Meiji Yasuda Quality of Life Culture Foundation. Yuki has studied violin with Tsugio Tokunaga, and is currently continuing her studies at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna (MUK) with Pavel Vernikov.