Yoshiki to Appear in Concert with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Yoshiki, songwriter, drummer/percussionist, classically-trained pianist and the creative force of the rock group X JAPAN, announced a special concert event: "Yoshiki Classical Special featuring Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra." The classical concerts will take place on January 12 and 13, 2017 at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium

For the Carnegie Hall concert, Yoshiki will perform his original compositions alongside the world-renowned Tokyo Philharmonic as well as several works from the traditional Classical repertoire. This New York concert follows Classical performances also taking place in Japan and Hong Kong.

"I began taking piano lessons and music theory at age four, and became interested in classical works by Beethoven and Schubert," explains Yoshiki. "In elementary school, I played the trumpet in the brass band, and around age ten started composing songs for piano. I've been writing classical music ever since. Needless to say, classical music has been a major influence in my musical career."

His album, YOSHIKI CLASSICAL debuted at #1 on the iTunes Classical Music chart in 10 countries around the world. The album featured performances by Yoshiki as both the composer and pianist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra. Produced by Yoshiki, the album features two songs that were produced by the legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin.

Yoshiki's classical concerts in 2014 earned him standing ovations and sold out shows in over 10 countries as he performed classical versions of X JAPAN songs and popular rock tracks with a string sextet live on stage, as well as some traditional Classical pieces.

Several of Yoshiki's compositions for piano and orchestra have entranced massive audiences, in Japan and around the world. Yoshiki composed a piano concerto and performed it with a 77-piece orchestra to celebrate the tenth year of the Emperor of Japan's reign in 1999. In 2012, Yoshiki composed the official theme song for the Golden Globes®. In 2015, he composed the theme song and conducted the Super World Orchestra at the opening ceremony of the World Expo.

In film news, the new music documentary about Yoshiki's rock group X JAPAN titled 'WE ARE X'-from Passion Pictures-was released by Drafthouse Films in New York and Los Angeles on October 21, 2016, followed by nationwide expansion. Since its premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival--where it was awarded the Special Jury Prize for editing--the film has continued to garner critical acclaim due to its remarkably candid portrayal of its enigmatic subject, Yoshiki, leader of the Japanese band X JAPAN.

X JAPAN has sold over 30 million singles and albums combined--captivating such a wide range of admirers as Sir George Martin, KISS, Stan Lee, and even the Japanese Emperor--and pioneered a spectacle-driven style of visual rock, creating a one-of-a-kind cultural phenomenon. The group is currently laying down tracks in a Los Angeles studio for their as-yet-untitled album, which is due for a worldwide release in early 2017.

About Yoshiki

Yoshiki is a songwriter, drummer, and a classically-trained pianist. His rock group X Japan filled the 55,000-seat Toyko Dome a record 18 times. Now the band's popularity is spreading throughout the world, having recently completed a sold-out World Tour, performing in North America, Europe, Latin America, and South East Asia. Recently, the legendary Stan Lee created a Super Hero based on him, and for the first time, a Hello Kitty product line is named after a person - "Yoshikitty". In 2010, he launched his non-profit organization Yoshiki Foundation America (http://www.yoshikifoundationamerica.org), a 501©(3) organization, which continues to donate to various charitable organizations, including supporting Japanese Earthquake victims.

About Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra:

In 2011, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated its 100th anniversary as Japan's first symphony orchestra. With about 130 musicians, TPO performs both symphonies and operas regularly. TPO is proud to have appointed Maestro Myung-Whun Chung, who has been conducting TPO since 2001, as Honorary Music Director, Maestro Mikhail Pletnev as Special Guest Conductor and Maestro Andrea Battistoni as Principal Guest Conductor.

TPO has established its world-class reputation through its subscription concert series, regular opera and ballet assignment at the New National Theatre, and a full, ever in-demand agenda around Japan and the world, including broadcasting with NHK Broadcasting Corporation, various educational programs, and tours abroad. In March 2014, TPO became a global sensation in its centennial world tour of six major cities: New York, Madrid, Paris, London, Singapore and Bangkok. In December 2015, TPO held Beethoven's 9th symphony concerts in Seoul and Tokyo with Maestro Myung-Whun Chung, with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra combined into one orchestra. TPO has partnerships with Bunkamura Orchard Hall, the Bunkyo Ward in Tokyo, Chiba City, Karuizawa Cho in Nagano and Nagaoka City in Niigata.

Yoshiki Classical Special featuring Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

Thursday January 12 and Friday, January 13 at 7:30 pm

Presented by Knitting Factory

Featuring Yoshiki, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Yuga Cohler

Tickets from $40 to $105 available at www.carnegiehall.org, by calling 212-247-7800 or at the

Carnegie Hall Box Office (57th Street & 7th Avenue)