Cyprien Katsaris - Yamaha USA

Cyprien Katsaris

Biography

Cyprien Katsaris

Born in France in 1951. Graduated from the Paris Conservatoire with top honors. In addition to receiving the Albert Roussel Foundation Prize in Paris and winning the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1970, he also was a prize-winner at the 1972 Queen Elizabeth International Music Competition of Belgium and won the First Prize in the International Cziffra Competition in 1974, thereby establishing his reputation as an international musician. Celebrated as a genius since studying at the Paris Conservatoire, Katsaris is actively performing globally as a pianist possessing both unparalleled technique and an emotional, rich and poetic power of expression. He also records on his own Piano 21 label.

Interview

Interview

[Q1. Which artists have influenced you the most?]

Gyorgy Cziffra, Wilhelm Kempff and Vladimir Horowitz and of course my 2 main professors Aline van Barentzen and Monique de La Bruchollerie.

[Q2. What are your impressions of Yamaha pianos?]

I simply love them not only because of their unique action which fits perfectly with my hands but also because I can get all the sound colors I want. Last spring, I decided to use a Yamaha CFX in London for my recording of 3 piano concertos by Haydn with Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy Saint Martins in the Fields.

[Q3. What does music, and the piano, mean to you?]

Everything and the ideal way to communicate. Music is my wife and pianos my girlfriends. My relationship with music and pianos is equally spiritual and physical.....

[Q4. Which are your favorite performance venues?]

There are too many! Japan has wonderful modern concert halls but I also enjoy a lot performing in Greek ancient theatres as their ones in Athens and Cyprus and of course the prestigious concert halls of Vienna, Paris, Amsterdam, New York etc.

[Q5. Do you have a message for people learning the piano?]

Keep practicing and remember that the quality of practicing is more important than the quantity.

CF/DCF Series

The Flagship of the CF series, the CFX full concert grand piano represents the pinnacle of Yamaha's tradition of piano crafting. Beautifully made and with an exquisite tone across the entire dynamic range, the CFX has the power to project its sound to the furthest reaches of any concert hall.

Nicholas McCarthy

Nicholas McCarthy, who at one point was told he would never have a career, is not your average artist. Born without his right hand he only began to play the piano at the late age of 14. He went on to study at London's Royal College of Music, making history in 2012 when he became the only left-handed alone pianist to successfully graduate in the college's 130-year history. He has now signed a record deal with Warner Classics and will release his debut album in 2015.

Maria João Pires

Maria João Pires

One of the legends of the piano world, Pires has appeared all over the globe with all the major orchestras, and performed at all the most important international festivals .

Hiromi Uehara

Hiromi Uehara

A musical phenomenon, Hiromi gathered attention when performed Chick Corea invited her to perform with him when just 17. She already had a recording contract while still in college, and is now an award winning star known around the world.