Paris, September 3 – Ryota Yamazaki, a talented Japanese pianist hailing from Fukushima Prefecture, has achieved the remarkable feat of winning the third prize at the renowned Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition. This competition, recognized as a stepping stone to success for young pianists, is held annually and draws competitors from around the world.
In the climactic final round, which unfolded in Bolzano, northern Italy, Yamazaki took center stage, performing Tchaikovsky’s renowned Piano Concerto No. 1 alongside an orchestra. The audience’s enthusiastic response, marked by a resounding round of applause, was a testament to his exceptional talent. With a gracious smile, Yamazaki bowed deeply to express his gratitude. During the award ceremony, as his name was called, he ascended the stage and personally shook hands with each of the esteemed judges.
Born in 1998, Yamazaki’s meteoric rise in the world of piano began to take shape in 2016 when, at just 17 years old, he became the first Japanese pianist to clinch the top position in the piano category at the Cooper International Competition held in the United States.
The Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition, with its inception dating back to 1949, has consistently served as a launchpad for emerging piano talents. In the 2019 edition of the competition, another Japanese pianist, Shiori Kuwahara, secured second place. This year’s top prize went to Arsenni Mun, a pianist from Russia, further cementing the competition’s reputation for discovering extraordinary piano virtuosos from around the globe.
