Departures of note

Akiko Kitagawa was a Japanese classical pianist and honorary professor at Tokyo University of the Arts. Born in Tokyo, she graduated from Musashino Academia Musicae and later studied at the Vienna Music Academy. In 1970 she took second place (no first prize awarded) at the Munich International Music Competition, establishing herself on the international stage. She performed all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas in consecutive recitals at career milestones, including her 20th anniversary in 1984, her 40th anniversary in 2004, and her retirement from Tokyo University of the Arts in 2012. She also served as vice-chair of the Japan Piano Education Federation and as a juror for the Japan Music Competition.