As a pianist whose performances captivate, and a researcher whose work in genetics breaks new ground, Seiji Nakanishi thrives at the intersection of two powerful disciplines, continually redefining what it means to be an artist and a scientist.
In March 2024, Seiji made his Carnegie Hall debut with a sold-out recital, an important milestone in his musical journey. Beyond solo performances, he frequently collaborates with other artists, including ballet dancers, to create performances that offer fresh perspectives on the relationship between movement and sound.
Seiji’s approach to music is grounded in his belief that performance can serve as a bridge between composers and their audiences. In his 2023 season, he presented a New York premiere of Akio Yashiro’s 1961 piano sonata, along with recitals at venues such as the Tenri Cultural Institute and Mannes School of Music. He strives to engage listeners by highlighting both classical and contemporary composers, fostering a dialogue between tradition and innovation.
As the founder of N Music Planning, Seiji is actively involved in organizing chamber music concerts in both New York and Japan. In 2022, his organization, supported by a grant from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, produced a concert series that blended music and Japanese visual art, performed in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Yamagata. His repertoire during this series included works by Olivier Messiaen, Guillaume Lekeu, Paul Hindemith, Eugène Ysaÿe, Arnold Bax, and Carl Reinecke. He also worked alongside notable musicians, including his younger brother, violinist Kanji Nakanishi, horn player Kota Umejima, and clarinetist Ichido Kawakami.
In 2024, Seiji is launching a new concert series in New York City with pianist Albert Lotto, continuing his efforts to bring unique musical experiences to a wider audience.
Seiji’s musical path has been shaped by his studies with renowned musicians such as Albert Lotto, Nobu Wakabayashi, Paul Ostrovsky, Miyoko Nakaya Lotto, Yuzuko Horigome, Efrem Briskin, Konstantin Lifschitz, Georges Pludermacher, Régis Pasquier, Pavel Nersessian, and Reiko Shiba.
Alongside his musical endeavors, Seiji holds a Master of Music degree from Purchase College, State University of New York, and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from Kyoto University. Since 2023, he has been working as a postgraduate associate at Yale School of Medicine, focusing on research in genetics, particularly Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).
Seiji’s work, both on stage and in the lab, continues to evolve as he pursues new challenges and seeks to contribute to both the artistic and scientific communities.