Go Yamamoto ’02

Go Yamamoto ’02 is a doctoral student in baroque violin at the Indiana University Early Music Institute, where he studies with master teacher and violinist Stanley Ritchie.

“Stanley is a genius teacher,” says Yamamoto, originally from Chiba, Japan. “He can memorize entire passages in one hearing along with the harmonies underneath. And then he will play it back to you by harmonizing himself with chords, telling you what to do where…As a performer he is just as excellent, as he is quite easily the most subtle player I have ever seen or heard.”

Yamamoto has won his own accolades. He was recently chosen as a winner in an EMI concerto competition, playing Antonio Vivaldi’s Grosso Mogul. He has also performed at period instrument master classes, festivals and workshops
throughout North America, including the Bloomington Early Music Festival, Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute, where he was a featured soloist for two consecutive years, and more recently at the Aston Magna Early Music Festival. He also performs with the chamber ensemble Frutti Musicali, as well as other groups.

Yamamoto hopes to complete his doctorate in baroque violin in 2008, then “play and teach in a big city early music ensemble in the U.S. or in Europe.” He believes his Cornell music education prepared him well for his current endeavors.

“I really liked the block plan in that it helped me to focus on the task at hand, and the entire class was immersed into the world of music. Professor (Jama) Stilwell was particularly helpful in helping me explore the world of early music and historical performance practice.”