Decca Classics has announced the exclusive signing of Japanese violinist Himari. The 13-year-old is set to release her debut EP on 23 May 2025, preceded by two singles: Carmen Fantasy by Franz Waxman and Romance by Amy Beach. The signing comes ahead of Himari’s European debut with the Berlin Philharmonic on 20 March 2025 at the Philharmonie, where she will perform Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in a sold-out series on 20, 21, and 22 March 2025.

Himari began playing the violin at the age of three and by the age of six, was already performing with professional orchestras. In 2022 she joined the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she now studies under violinist Ida Kavafian. Her talent has been recognised globally, earning her first prizes at competitions, including the Lipinski-Wieniawski International Violin Competition and the Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition. In December 2024, she performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra during the 'New Year's Eve Celebration' with conductor Marin Alsop. She will perform this same programme with Marin Alsop with the Chicago Symphony at the Ravinia Festival. She has been named a Classic FM Rising Star for 2025.

Decca Classics Label Director, Dominic Fyfe, says: ‘Signing a debut artist is always an exciting moment. In Himari we truly have a talent for the ages. Technically fearless, Himari has purity, musicality and breathtaking temperament. There is a voice in Himari’s playing which can speak to any generation. All of us at Decca Classics welcome her to the label and are thrilled to bring her music-making to a global audience.’

Himari plays the 1717 'Hamma' Stradivarius violin, generously loaned by Mr. Yusaku Maezawa, and a bow provided by the Munetsugu Collection.