Concerts and Piano Teaching

From 1973 to 1979, Aleksei Takenouchi lived and studied in London where he attended Royal College of Music from 1973 to 1977. His primary teachers were Professor Emeritus Angus Morrison, who had taught Tchaikowsky International Piano Competition winner John Lill, for piano and Dr. Herbert Howells for theory and harmony. He also briefly studied with David Parkhouse. During his college years, he participated in various competitions and made his debut at Wigmore Hall to great critical acclaim.

Aleksei Takenouchi also won the Royal College of Music Concerto competition made famous in the movie, Shine, which recouned David Helfgott winning the same competition several years earlier. Aleksei played Liszt's 2nd Piano Concerto in A major.

Also, during his stay there, Aleksei participated at the Cziffra International Piano Competition. Though unprepared, he advanced to second stage. He met both Gyorgy Cziffra and his son Gyorgy Cziffra Jr., both of whom inspired Aleksei with their words.

"During my living in London, I was fortunate to meet Dame Marfa Chaliapin, daughter of Fyodor Chaliapin,  in Liverpool during one of my concerts.  It was truly memorable! Also, my family and I became very well acquainted with the painter Baroness Ludmilla von Trapp, whose husband was one of the Trapp children in the movie, Sound of Music. Ludmilla introduced us to pianist Shura Cherkassky who gave me valuable advise how to practice piano."

   -Aleksei Takenouchi

"I remember that during our classes, now and then, Dr. Herbert Howells would doze off. I didn't know what to do, so, I went to the Registrar, J. Steiner, who said that I shouldn't mind it, as just being with such a fabled and famous musican was a priviledge that few could have. And yes, he was right. The experience of knowing Dr. Herbert Howells is always cherished deeply in my mind. Dr. Howells was the godfather to Julian Lloyd Webber, the younger brother of Phantom of the Opera composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber."

-Aleksei Takenouchi