Keyboard Successes
Tuesday 29 October 2013
The RCM has been well represented by prize winners of recent international piano competitions.
RCM pianist Kausikan Rajeshkumar, currently studying on the RCM Artist Diploma programme, has won Second Prize at the 10th Darmstadt International Chopin Piano Competition 2013. He was awarded €7,000 plus concert engagements in Germany ahead of 19 other competitors following his outstanding performances of works for piano solo by Chopin and the composer's E minor and F minor piano concertos.
Recent RCM graduate Kumi Matsuo has also recently enjoyed success by winning the First Prize at the Louisiana International Piano Competition. Kumi's performance of music by Scarlatti, Ravel and Franck in the Semi-Finals took her through to the Competition Final on 26 October, in which she performed Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her $6,000 prize, she has been awarded a recital at New York's Carnegie Hall, plus other engagements.
