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Romantic

 

 

Modern

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Chitose Okashiro is a renowned classical pianist who has captivated audiences around the world with her virtuosic performances and deep musicality. Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1969, Okashiro began playing the piano at the age of four and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She studied at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, where she received a rigorous education in classical piano performance. After completing her studies in Japan, Okashiro moved to the United States to continue her musical education. She enrolled at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied with the legendary pianist and teacher, Rosina Lhevinne. Under Lhevinne's guidance, Okashiro honed her technical skills and developed a deep understanding of the nuances of classical music interpretation. Okashiro's talent and hard work paid off when she won the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1989. This competition, held every four years in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world and attracts top talent from around the globe. Okashiro's victory at the Van Cliburn Competition launched her career as a soloist and brought her international recognition. Since winning the Van Cliburn Competition, Okashiro has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She has also given recitals in major concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Okashiro's repertoire is wide-ranging and includes works by many of the great composers of classical music, including Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff. She is particularly known for her interpretations of the music of Franz Liszt, a composer whose virtuosic piano works require a high level of technical skill and musical sensitivity. Okashiro's performances of Liszt's music have been praised for their clarity, precision, and emotional depth. In addition to her career as a performer, Okashiro is also a dedicated teacher. She has taught at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Her students have gone on to successful careers as performers and teachers in their own right. Throughout her career, Okashiro has received many awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In addition to winning the Van Cliburn Competition, she has been awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, and the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition. She has also been recognized for her contributions to the cultural life of Hawai'i, where she has lived and worked for many years. In 2012, she was awarded the Hawai'i State Art Award, the highest honor given by the state to artists. Despite her many accomplishments, Okashiro remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to perform and teach, sharing her love of classical music with audiences and students around the world. Her passion for music and her commitment to excellence have made her one of the most respected and admired classical pianists of her generation.

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