Album out now: HIMARI "Debut"

Decca Classics releases the debut album from violinist Himari. Her first full-length recording since signing exclusively to the label in 2025, the album centres on Henryk Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 1, recorded live with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Sebastian Weigle at the Philharmonie in Berlin during her debut performances with the orchestra in March 2025.

The recording marks Decca Classics’ first new recording project with the Berliner Philharmoniker since Sir Georg Solti 30 years ago. Bringing together music that has shaped Himari’s musical journey, the album reflects the repertoire she feels most deeply connected to.

“For my first album, I wanted to choose music I truly love and feel deeply connected to, not just pieces that are famous,” says Himari. “I hope this album reflects both my love for the violin and my curiosity about music and expression.”

Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 1 has played an important role throughout Himari’s musical life under the expert and inspirational tutelage of Ida Kavafian at Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute. Himari chose the work for a performance with the New Japan Philharmonic in 2023.

At just 13 years old, she made her debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker at the Philharmonie in Berlin, becoming the youngest violinist to perform with the orchestra since Sarah Chang in 1994 and Yehudi Menuhin in 1929. That performance, recorded live with conductor Sebastian Weigle, forms the centrepiece of her debut album.

“That concert remains one of the most memorable moments of my musical life so far,” says Himari. “The energy of a live performance is very special, and I felt incredibly honoured to perform with such an extraordinary orchestra. From the very first rehearsal, I was inspired by the richness of their sound and by how naturally they listened and responded.”

For Himari, the concerto is more than a career milestone. “I feel deeply connected to this concerto,” she says. “As with all the works on this album, it’s music that is often very virtuosic and romantic, but which for me is also very personal and expressive.”

Alongside Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 1, the album includes his Fantasia on Themes from Gounod’s Faust, one of the great virtuoso works of the violin repertoire. The programme also features works by Chopin in transcriptions by Jascha Heifetz and Nathan Milstein, alongside Leopold Godowsky’s Alt Wien and Sibelius’s Mazurka from Five Pieces for Violin and Piano.

Himari recorded the recital repertoire with pianist Chelsea Wang. Together, the live concerto recording and recital performances reflect the range of music she wanted to bring together for her first album.

“This is what I enjoy,” says Himari. “To explore the finest details of phrasing and sound, while expressing myself freely.”

Dominic Fyfe, A&R Director of Decca Classics, writes: “A debut album is always cause for celebration and none more so than this from Himari. Her debut with the Berlin Philharmonic aged 13 was the kind of historic moment great live recordings are all about: an unrepeatable event captured for posterity. Decca Classics also celebrates its first recording with the Berlin Philharmonic since Sir Georg Solti in 1996, a recording which marked his 50th anniversary as an exclusive artist with the label.”

Himari has already appeared with orchestras including the Berliner Philharmoniker, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.

Before her fourteenth birthday, she had signed with Decca Classics, made her debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker and begun recording for the label.

While her international profile continues to grow, Himari has already built a remarkable following in Japan, where her performances have attracted millions of online views and widespread media attention. A recent NHK documentary charting her musical development also introduced her story to a national television audience.

Himari’s debut album is out now on Decca Classics.

This recording was made possible by the generous support of Mr Kunio Yamada, ROHTO Pharmaceutical Japan.

TRACKLIST

Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 14

(with Berliner Philharmoniker and Sebastian Weigle)

1. Allegro moderato
2. Preghiera: Larghetto
3. Rondo. Allegro giocoso

Chopin (transcr. Heifetz)

1. Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 55 No. 2

Godowsky (transcr. Heifetz)

1. Alt Wien

Sibelius

1. Mazurka from 5 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 81

Chopin (transcr. Milstein)

1. Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op. Posth.

Wieniawski: Fantasia on Themes from Gounod's Faust, Op. 20

(with Chelsea Wang, piano)

1. Allegro moderato
2. Andante ma non troppo
3. Allegro agitato non troppo
4. Andante. Andante non troppo
5. Tempo di Valse. Allegro non troppo