Susanna Ogata

Susanna Ogata enjoys an active performance schedule in greater New England and beyond.  Her playing has been described as “warm, witty, responsive, making the tops of phrases gleam” (Gramophone Magazine), “warm and rich of tone” (Fanfare Magazine), and “electrifying energy, awesome technical command and rollicking dialogue” (Arts Fuse Magazine) where her performance was distinguished as a top performance of the season.

Dedicated to exploring music on historical instruments, Susanna has appeared as chamber musician and soloist with the Handel and Haydn Society, where she serves as Assistant Concertmaster, as well as with the Bach Ensemble, Sarasa, Boston Early Music Festival, Newton Baroque, Ashmont Bach Project, and Upper Valley Baroque. Solo appearances for the 2022-23 season include performances of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Connecticut Early Music Festival and the Reading Symphony Orchestra as well as baroque concertos with Upper Valley Baroque and Ashmont Bach Project. She has had the opportunity to work with early music specialists such as Raphaël Pichon, Harry Christophers, Sir Roger Norrington, and Bernard Labadie, among others.

Susanna and keyboardist Ian Watson completed “The Beethoven Project”, surveying and recording the complete Sonatas for Fortepiano and Violin of Beethoven on period instruments, receiving praise in such publications as The Boston Globe, where it was distinguished as an eminent release of 2017, BBC Music Magazine, Strad Magazine, Gramophone, and Early Music Review. The New York Times praised them for “elegant readings that are attentive to quicksilver changes in dynamics and articulation. Their performance of the Sonata No. 4 in A minor is darkly playful, their ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata brilliant and stormy.” They completed a two-year residency, called “On Beethoven’s Piano”, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, performing and working with students there.

Susanna is currently enjoying early music coaching with music students at the New England Conservatory through the Pratt Residency and Performance Series.

Ms. Ogata’s teachers have included Charles Castleman and Laura Bossert—and Dana Maiben with whom she studied Baroque violin.  She also worked extensively with Malcom Bilson and Paul O’Dette while completing her undergraduate and graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music.