Masumi Yamamoto

Based in London, harpsichordist Masumi Yamamoto has appeared as a recitalist at the London Handel Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, King’s Lynn Festival, and Stoke Newington Early Music Festival, with further performances across Europe, Japan, and Australia. She gained international recognition as a prize-winner at the International Harpsichord Competition in Bruges, becoming the first Japanese prize-winner in 25 years. Her discography includes Handel: Works for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord, released by First Hand Records.

In 2023, Masumi founded the London Obbligato Collective, a period-instrument chamber ensemble dedicated to repertoire featuring the harpsichord in dialogue with other instruments. The ensemble focuses on under-represented chamber works with written-out keyboard parts, with a particular interest in eighteenth-century British repertoire and historically inspired programmes developed in collaboration with galleries and museums. They are currently preparing their first CD, the first-ever recording of harpsichord trios by Valentino Nicolai, supported by the Continuo Foundation and the Orbis Pictus Foundation.

Masumi is also an active continuo player and has performed with period-instrument ensembles such as the Gabrieli Consort & Players, the Academy of Ancient Music, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. She has also played with modern-instrument orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Northern Sinfonia, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Beyond performing, Masumi is Basso Continuo Professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and teaches at St Paul’s Girls’ School. She also runs the South London Harpsichord Academy and The Harpsichord Shelf, her online shop for digital editions and educational materials. An active content creator, she manages three YouTube channels and enjoys swimming and springboard diving.