ZOFO Duet is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2009 by pianists Eva-Maria Zimmermann and Keisuke Nakagoshi. The name ZOFO is an acronym for "20-finger orchestra," which refers to the fact that the duo performs on one piano, using all twenty fingers to create a rich and complex sound. Eva-Maria Zimmermann was born in Germany and began playing the piano at the age of four. She studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover and later at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Keisuke Nakagoshi was born in Japan and started playing the piano at the age of three. He studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and later at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The two pianists met while studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and quickly discovered a shared passion for contemporary classical music. They formed ZOFO Duet with the goal of exploring the possibilities of the piano as a duo instrument and commissioning new works from contemporary composers. Since its founding, ZOFO Duet has performed extensively throughout the United States and around the world. The duo has appeared at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. They have also performed at numerous music festivals, including the Ravinia Festival, the Gilmore Keyboard Festival, and the Festival Internacional de Música de Cámara de Aguascalientes. One of the highlights of ZOFO Duet's career was their performance at the 2010 TEDGlobal conference in Oxford, England. The duo performed a piece by composer Terry Riley called "G-Song," which was written specifically for them. The performance was met with a standing ovation and helped to raise the profile of the ensemble. ZOFO Duet has also been recognized for their recordings. Their debut album, "Mind Meld," was released in 2012 and features works by contemporary composers such as Samuel Adams, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Gyan Riley. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance. In addition to their performances and recordings, ZOFO Duet is also committed to commissioning new works from contemporary composers. The duo has commissioned over 20 new works since their founding, including pieces by composers such as Frederic Rzewski, Terry Riley, and Gabriela Lena Frank. Overall, ZOFO Duet has established itself as one of the premier classical music ensembles in the world. With their innovative approach to the piano as a duo instrument and their commitment to contemporary classical music, the duo has earned critical acclaim and a dedicated following of fans.

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