Cello x Trumpet x Masateru Nishikata

Transcendent technique and high tone. An interview with cellist trumpeter, Masateru Nishikata, an active performer. There are many episodes that can only be read about here.

Born in 1989 in Chiba Prefecture, Nishikata is a remarkable player who has also played with Taro Hakase and Chisako Takashima. We interviewed him regarding what kind of life he has led to have arrived at his current playing style.

Cello x Masateru Nishikata

He wanted to play brass in orchestra club in elementary school, but decided to take up the cello instead because of the number of people trying out for brass. Playing the cello reluctantly at first, he was a quick learner and progressed easily, all the while getting more and more immersed as people around him praised his playing. From an early stage, he he entertained thoughts like "Maybe I’ll go to the College of Arts and become a professional player." (Great idea!) When he was in junior high school, he was addicted to Rostropovich.
Mstislav Rostropovich (1927-2007)

In the spring of his third year of junior high school, he listened to a Rostropovich concert and felt strongly that he wanted to be a cellist like “Rostro”.

In Chiba, where student orchestras are thriving, there are orchestras and string club activities in public elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools around the prefecture.

In high school, during breaks between classes, he played constantly, as if possessed. Those whi heard him play were also impressed. (I'm an enthusiastic Nishikata fan, and I was actually a member of the same high school orchestra)

He then graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts and finished grad school.

Of course, he played soothing classics in the Cello Ensemble XTC.

But he has also been playing hot rock performances that make you think “Is this really a cello!?”

When you listen to a version of a song with a beat live, you can feel the air vibrating with the size and the low sound of the instrument.

Trumpet x Masateru Nishikata

When he heard Eric Miyashiro's live performance during high school, he was wowed, "Does this world really have "sound” like this?"

At that time, he was dedicated to the cello because he was also preparing for the University of the Arts. But once he graduated from college, he wanted to make “that sound”! When he started playing the trumpet, people around him were asking him, "What are you doing?" But while actively working on recording and supporting the artists, his reputation as "the cello and trumpet player" spread.

He often goes to Eric's live shows,he couldn't say a thing Eric as he was so nervous to be around someone he admired so much. However he is now getting advice on playing trumpet from Eric

Currently, He plays not only the trumpet but also the Flugelhorn and the Piccolo trumpet, and has had a YouTube channel since 2019.

Cello x Trumpet x Masateru Nishikata

I understand that something positive came from playing both cello and trumpet.

The fun thing is that my musical range of expression has exploded. Cello and trumpet have opposite characters. The only common feature is that both are instruments that “sing”. In the sense of “singing a single melody line”, the expressions cultivated in the performance of the cello and the expressions from the trumpet have a tremendous influence on one another within myself.

The fun thing is that my musical range of expression has exploded. Cello and trumpet have opposite characters. The only common feature is that both are instruments that “sing”. In the sense of “singing a single melody line”, the expressions cultivated in the performance of the cello and the expressions from the trumpet have a tremendous influence on one another within myself.

I often change from cello to trumpet on one stage. "Blowing an important melody with a cold trumpet without warming up" is quite difficult. But I'm used to this too.

And he laughs bitterly.

oincidentally, the catalog of a famous Scandinavian furniture brand depicts a scene with a cello and a trumpet in a living room.

asateru Nishikata x Sound House

Nishikata also reviewed the cheap plastic trumpet that Sound House is proud of. I asked him to play “Mukashi no Yoshima” in a local performance!

The high tone come out so well, and if you play well, the instrument will also be happy!!

Message from Nishikata
I use the cello and trumpet with the motto "Sounds that make the listener smile". I started a YouTube channel in 2019 and have uploaded various videos, so please watch them and if you are interested, please come and visit us at a live show. ^ ^

Click here for Masateru Nishikata’s performance!　Writer’s recommendation

The YouTube channel instruments include keyboards, drums, guitars, and they play anime songs and movie music, as well as the cello and trumpet.
youtube　https://www.youtube.com/user/rostrolopez10

If you are a classical fan, we recommend the solo album "11 + 1", which includes enjoyable passionate songs.

Don't forget Cello Ensemble XTC.
youtube　https://www.youtube.com/user/celloxtc

After reading this, I want you to listen to their live music! Please check out the official Twitter and and go see Chisako Takashima, a regular member, for a “happy concert” and Taro Hakase's concert tour.
twitter　https://twitter.com/vctpmasa

here’s also one tune where four people played on one cello! The project "Ah, Jinsei ni Namida Ari (Mito Komon)" is astonishing.

Also, you can't miss them as many of them have appeared in band performances on music programs such as “Kayou-Sai” (Song Festival).

Finally

We introduced Nishikata's great features and passion for music, some of which was not included in his profile. Sound House will continue to support Masateru Nishikata's musical activities.