Audiences and musicians on three continents recognize Mitsumoto as a world-class interpreter of both classical and contemporary music. He has had a varied musical career as a recording artist, conductor, composer, and cellist.
ICW Inaugural Concert 2013
Masatoshi Mitusumoto - conductor and composer - founded the International Chamber Orchestra of Washington (ICW) in 2013 and was its music director for five years. Previously, he was the music director of the Los Angeles Concordia Orchestra, the Laguna Beach Summer Music Festival in California, and the Hakone Chamber Music Festival in Japan.
Mitsumoto was born in Tokyo, Japan and graduated from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts. He continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory with Paul and Maud Tortelier, Nice International Academy with Andre Navarra, and University of Southern California with Gregor Piatigorsky. Mitsumoto started his career as a cellist. In addition, he was a faculty member of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; California State University, Los Angeles; and Whittier College. While in Los Angeles, he worked as a Hollywood Studio musician and for the Pasadena Symphony. When in Las Vegas, he worked in the hotel showrooms as a musician for many stars, including Frank Sinatra, Shirley McLain, and Sammy Davis, Jr. He now lives in California and focuses on composing and conducting.
Among his compositions, "Songs of Innocence" for soprano and piano, and Concerto for Cello and String Orchestra, have been performed multiple times to audience acclaim. He has also made several recordings as a conductor under the MMM, Cambria, and Hollywood Symphony Soloists recording labels.
Mitsumoto was born in Tokyo, Japan and graduated from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts. He continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory with Paul and Maud Tortelier, Nice International Academy with Andre Navarra, and University of Southern California with Gregor Piatigorsky. Mitsumoto started his career as a cellist. In addition, he was a faculty member of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; California State University, Los Angeles; and Whittier College. While in Los Angeles, he worked as a Hollywood Studio musician and for the Pasadena Symphony. When in Las Vegas, he worked in the hotel showrooms as a musician for many stars, including Frank Sinatra, Shirley McLain, and Sammy Davis, Jr. He now lives in California and focuses on composing and conducting.
Among his compositions, "Songs of Innocence" for soprano and piano, and Concerto for Cello and String Orchestra, have been performed multiple times to audience acclaim. He has also made several recordings as a conductor under the MMM, Cambria, and Hollywood Symphony Soloists recording labels.
My Teachers and mentors
 Cello Class, Paris, 1959-1960
Mitsumoto's class at the Paris Conservatory.
 With Piatigorsky, 1966
Mitsumoto at Gregor Piatigorsky's home in Brentwood, California.
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 With Paul and Maud Tortelier, 1984
Mitsumoto conducting Laguna Beach Summer Music Festival with guest artists, Paul and Maud Tortelier.
 With Tortelier and Stevenson, 1983
Cellist, Paul Tortelier; Mitsumoto; and pianist, Doris Stevenson; in Los Angeles, California.
 Leo Arnaud, circa 1980
Mitsumoto's mentor and teacher, the composer and conductor, Leo Arnaud.
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 With Foss, 2001
Mitsumoto with composer and conductor, Lukas Foss, in Orange County, California.
 With Navarra, 1983
Mitsumoto with cellist, Andre Navarra, in Laguna Beach, California.
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