- Profile -
Sanae Tokimoto is a violinist whose repertoire includes early Baroque to Romantic, and Bartók music. Her work with both modern and Baroque violins, as well as her experience studying in Hungary, form the foundation of her repertoire.
She was born in Tottori City. She began playing the violin at the age of three and studied at the music department of Kobe Yamate Girls' High School and the music course of the arts department at Osaka Kyoiku University.
While still a student, she performed as a soloist in a concerto (Bruch Violin Concerto) after passing an internal audition.
Furthermore, during her summer vacation, she studied abroad in Switzerland for a short period, where she received lessons from I. Gitlis and discovered her potential.
While pursuing her master's thesis in the Music Performance course of the Department of Arts and Culture at the same university, she chose Bach's Chaconne as her topic, and it was during this time that she encountered early music performance practices.
From 2007 to 2008, she studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Hungary. She was particularly impressed by the charm of Bartók's works, and experienced how understanding music deepens when you feel the atmosphere, language, and cultural background of the land where the music originated. While a student, she gave recitals and performed at the Budapest Spring Music Festival as a member of a quartet. After returning to Japan, she began studying Baroque violin under Keiko Watanabe and resumed her musical activities in orchestras and quartets in the Kansai region. Following a request to collaborate at her homecoming concert, she has since performed in duos and trios with pianist Natsuko Yoshihisa. Also, after collaborating on Bartók's works, she has performed with pianist Yu Murakami, and in 2011 and 2024, she made guest appearances at the Chamber Music Festival in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where she also held master classes. Since 2012, she has frequently traveled to Europe to study under S. Kuijken. In 2016, she performed as a concerto soloist at the "La Petite Bande Summer Academy" organized by him. She also received instruction from E. Onofri, A. Beyer, L.v. Dahl, and others.
She has previously performed in early music ensembles and as a solo baroque violinist, and in June 2016, she gave a solo recital at the cathedral in Tui, Spain.
In 2019, she released her first album, "Looking into the Darkness and Light of the Baroque - Towards the Future of Sound," and held commemorative recitals in Tottori and Kobe.
In 2026, we have plans for various activities, including concerts and collaborative events with people from other industries.
They regularly perform in their hometown of Tottori, and the "Tokimoto-san's Concert" was held for the eighth time in 2025.
He is also a member of the Tottori Chamber Orchestra (TCO), which is comprised of professional musicians with ties to Tottori.
Second Prize, General Division,9th Takatsuki Music Competition.
Third Prize,Early Music Division,12th Osaka International Competition.
As a violinist and educator, she is actively engaged in performance and teaching.
She is also the founder of Oto to Sekai LLC.
Guided by the vision of creating a world connected thirough sound, she collaborates with people from various fields and with nature itself, exploring new possibilities through music.
Sanae Tokimoto violin
Master's degree of Arts and Culture,Graduate School of Education,the Osaka University of Education 2002.
The Master's dissertation topic is “ciaccona of BACH”
2007-2008 furthered her mastery at the List Academy of Music at Budapest, Hungary.
From 2012, took many lessons at Europe by Sigiswald Kuijken and Amandine Beyer, Lucy van Dael for playing baroque violin.
2002 held first recital at Tottori city.
2007 held recital at Budapest, Hungary.
2008 join to “spring music festival” as member of string quartet at Budapest, Hungary.
2008 held Return Japan concert at Nara city Japan.
2016 held solo recital at Tui,Spain.
2019 exhibit her first CD by baroque violin and held CD release recital at Kobe and Tottori Japan.
2004 2nd prize of Takatsuki Music Competition.
2011 3rd prize of OSAKA International Music Competition early music department
Now, member of Tottori chamber orchestra.
Often playing as a concertmaster especially religious music of Bach.
Active as violinist, baroque-violinist,
and violin teacher.
Adjudicate in Japan classic music competition.