Ko Iwasaki

A native of Japan, Ko Iwasaki graduated in 1963 from the Toho Conservatory where he studied cello with Hideo Saito. He soon appeared as a soloist with all of Japan’s leading orchestras. In 1964 he came to the USA on a Fulbright Scholarship and studied with Leonard Rose and Harvey Shapiro at the Juilliard School of Music. During 1966 he studied with Pablo Casals in Puerto Rico and made his New York debut in the Young Artist Concert Series. His European debut with the London Symphony Orchestra with André Previn followed in 1972. Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by Iwasaki in Japanese and additionally signed, dated and titled by Krishizki: "Georges / 1977 / Ko Iwasaki playing Sonata for Solo Violoncello, Op 8 by Kodaly / Alice Tully Hall / April 27, 1977."

Mr. Iwasaki has won several international competitions such as the Budapest Cello Competition, Second Prize in the 1969 Cassado Cello Competition, and the Bronze Medal in the 1970 International Tchaikovsky Competition. He has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, Polish National Radio Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Vancouver Symphony, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and many other orchestras in the USA, Europe and Asia. In addition to his solo career, he has participated in numerous festivals, such as Santa Fe, La Jolla, Aspen, Round Top, Kuhumo, Lockenhaus and Newbury.

George 'Georges' Krishizki (March 22, 1924 – December 20, 2001), Russian-Polish-American illustrator who came to the U.S. in 1949. While he earned acclaim for his renderings of the city’s architectural landmarks, it was his on-the-spot drawings of musicians in performance that attracted an especially appreciative audience. In a 1973 article published in conjunction with two simultaneous exhibitions, Georges explained the genesis of his long-running engagement with the concert hall: “I’ve always enjoyed going to concerts, and one day I decided it would be fun to combine my interests in music and art and make sketches of musicians during performances.”  Indeed, the most remarkable feature of Georges’ oeuvre, apart from the astounding range of performers who gladly expressed their approval and appreciation by signing, is the skill with which the drawings are accomplished.

This original pen and ink illustration, measuring approximately 9 x 12, on heavy-weight sketch paper, is in fine condition with some light overall toning. Its verso is blank and clean.