Yoichi_Hiraoka

Yoichi Hiraoka

Yoichi Hiraoka

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Yoichi Hiraoka (平岡 養一, Yoichi Hiraoka, August 16, 1907 – July 13, 1981) was a xylophonist in Japan.[1] He permanently resided in the United States in 1963.

Yoichi Hiraoka

Career

Hiraoka passed an audition with NBC in 1930, and for the next 11 years his xylophone music was heard every day throughout the United States. After nearly 4,000 days with NBC, the Second World War resulted in Hiraoka's resignation from NBC.[2][3] He gave recitals in New York City and received high praises from New York Times.[4][5] He also entrusted many records and works, and left many achievements.[6]

After returning to Japan, he became a national hero and began making daily appearances at recitals and on radio programs, building up the popularity of xylophone playing in Japan. Hiraoka later moved to the United States in 1963 and eventually obtained American citizenship.

In 1978, Hiraoka was awarded Japan's Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class (Gold Rays with Rosette).

Document

Yoichi Hiraoka: His Artistic Life and His Influence on the Art of Xylophone Performance[7]

References

[8][9][10][11][12]

  1. [1]
    "Decca presents a xylophone recital of classical music". loc.gov. Library of Congress.
  2. [2]
    "Unusual Recital By Yoichi Hiraoka – Gifted Japanese Xylophonist Offers Outstanding Program to Town Hall Audience". The New York Times. December 22, 1936.
  3. [3]
    "Xylophone PLayer Presents Concert – Recital by Yoichi Hiraoka, Japanese Musician, Given at Town Hall". The New York Times. November 25, 1937.
  4. [4]
    "Return of Japanese Musician To Radio Is Requested by Many; Mayor Aids Fight in Behalf of Hiraoka -- Xylophonist's Neighbors Also Vouch for Him -- NBC Holds to Enemy Alien Rule". The New York Times. 1942-03-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  5. [5]
    S., N. (22 December 1936). "Unusual Recital by Yoichi Hiraoka". New York Times. p. 34.
  6. [6]
    "Yoichi Hiraoka Works;Musical settings Songs and music Classical music radio programs Radio specials Music Radio program excerpts Radio station identifications Radio announcements". worldcat.org.
  7. [7]
    "Yoichi Hiraoka: His Artistic Life and His Influence on the Art of Xylophone Performance". digital.library.unt.edu. August 2013. Archived from the original on 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  8. [8]
    "Yoichi Hiraoka: His Artistic Life and His Influence on the Art of Xylophone Performance". digital.library.unt.edu. University of North Texas, Digital Library. August 2013.
  9. [9]
    "Hiraoka, Yoichi". worldcat.org. WorldCat Identities.
  10. [10]
    "Honorable Entertainer". The New Yorker.
  11. [11]
    MacArthur's Spies: The Soldier, the Singer, and the Spymaster Who Defied the ... Peter Eisner. 2 May 2017. ISBN 9780698407527.
  12. [12]
    "Crane School of Music Welcomes Guest Xylophonist Mutsumi Tsuuzaki from Japan on April 12". potsdam.edu. Potsdam, State University of New York.
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