Denis Matsuev and the Yamaha CFX Dazzle at Rare United Nations Concert

Denis Matsuev plays the Yamaha CFX with Maestro Vladimir Spivakov and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Commonwealth of Independent States in General Assembly Hall at the United Nations

UNITED NATIONS — Denis Matsuev recently presented the first movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18, as part of a prestigious concert in General Assembly Hall at the United Nations on May 7^th, 2010. The evening, dedicated to the 65^th anniversary of the end of World War II, also featured Maestro Vladimir Spivakov conducting the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

While originally scheduled to perform on a Steinway, Mr. Matsuev experienced the new Yamaha CFX 9' Concert Grand piano several days before the concert, and immediately chose to use the CFX instead for this notable performance. Presented by the Russian Federation, the repertoire focused mainly on great works by Russian composers Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky.

The invitation-only audience included WWII veterans and international dignitaries, including Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon, who also spoke before the concert.

"Many of tonight's performers are too young to even have parents who served in the war, but all of them know of its terrible cost," said Secretary-General Ban. "The anniversary of the end of the Second World War holds special importance for the United Nations. The war shaped our mission and its lessons guide our work."

A message from Russian President Valdimir Putin was also given before the concert. "It is very symbolic that tonight's concert is taking place in General Assembly Hall," said Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin, on President Putin's behalf. "These musicians pay tribute to all those who gave them the chance to practice and play freely, and they all speak a language that needs no translation, the language of music."

The 9' CFX concert grand, which replaces Yamaha's acclaimed CFIIIS concert grand piano, was launched in January 2010. In addition to drawing on its 108-year heritage of manufacturing the world's finest pianos, the instrument represents 19 years of research and development conducted by Yamaha craftsmen, designers and engineers to create this extraordinary handcrafted piano. The process culminated with a series of top-secret, in-depth evaluation sessions conducted in New York, Paris and Tokyo with top artists and Yamaha artist services over the last few years.

For more information about Yamaha Corporation of America, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; call (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit http://www.yamaha.com/press.