The International Set

Soundcheck | May 3, 2010
Japanese pianist Kotaro Fukuma stunned many piano enthusiasts this past August when he was named first-prize winner in the prestigious Cleveland International Piano Competition. The 21-year-old beat out a number of contestants with far more musical seasoning. Still, few doubted his poise, taste and formidable keyboard skills, and Fukuma joins us today to discuss the challenges intrinsic to the high-stakes world of professional competitions. Also, members of the celebrated Chilean band Inti-Illimani stop by for a live performance in the WNYC studios. Formed in the 1960s by engineering students in Chile who ended up in exile in Italy, the 8-piece band is dedicated to exploring indigenous South American cultures, reflected in its diverse body of work and extensive collection of winds, strings and percussion.
Additional Resources:
  • More about Kotaro Fukuma
  • More about Inti-Illimani

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