István Székely pianist

István Székely pianist

Professor at the Katarina Gurska conservatory in Madrid, Franz Liszt Center for young talents in La Nucia and Alter Mvsici center in Cartagena (Spain).

István is considered as one of the most refined pedagogues and pianists of our time. His students are frequent winners in national and international competitions with more than hundred prizes. Pianist and internationally recognized teacher: he has been invited in Master Classes in Budapest (Hungary), in the World Teachers Conference in Novi Sad (Serbia), in the Katarina Gurska Higher Center, in Forum Musikae (Madrid), in the International Piano Festival "UIS" in Bucaramanga, in Manizales (Colombia), Special School of Music in Apatin, Sombor, Senta, Backa Topola (Serbia), Professional Conservatory in Alicante and Dénia, in the International Festival of Music in Valencia etc. He is jury member in frequent international competitions such as Bucaramanga (Colombia), the IMFV Valencia competition, the Ibiza International Competition, the "Villa de Xabia" International Contest, the Franz Liszt Contest in Rome (Italy), Béla Bartók Contest in Graz (Austria) etc.

Winner of several awards in national and international competitions. Since the age of 15 he has given recitals in Europe, the United States, South America and Asia. To name a few: in Alexandria and New Harmony (Indianapolis, USA), in the International Piano Festival in Bucaramanga, International Piano Festival in Barrancabermeja, cycle "International Season in Manizales" (Colombia), "Kolarac" in Belgrade ( Serbia), in the "Kodály" Institute, "Kodály" School, in the "Béla Bartók" Museum, in one of the most important festivals "Zsidó Kulturális Fesztivál" in Szeged (Hungary), recitals in Sweden, Greece, in the festival "Midis-minimes", in "Muziekacademie de Berchem-Sainte-Agathe in Brussels (Belgium) and in Spain in important auditoriums such as the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid, Palau de la Música in Valencia, Teatro Principal de Alcoy, congress center" Victor Villegas "in Murcia, in the" Adoc ", in the University of Burgos, in the International Chamber Music Festival in Calpe, in" Dénia Classics ",  Aula de la Cam in Alicante, Teulada Auditorium, La Beneficencia in Valencia, in the Auditorio de la Diputación, "ADDA" in Alicante, Auditorium Mediterrania in La Nucia among others. He has performed in private concert for the Princess of Thailand S.A.R. Chulabhorn Mahidol.

He is founder and member of the international Camerata "Universal Music". He has performed with international artists such as Clara Novakova, Joaquin Palomares, Joan Enric Lluna, Jovan Bogosavljevic, Susanna Gregorian, with the soloists of the Orchestra of Valencia etc.

In 2017 István Székely made the recording of five Chopin studios of exceptional virtuosity for the sounding of the animated short film Impromptu, directed by María Lorenzo and produced by Enrique Millán, with the participation of Cultur Arts (Generalitat Valencian) and the A Punt Media network . Impromptu has been one of the most relevant Spanish animation shorts of the last year, being shortlisted for the Goya 2018 Awards. It was premiered at the emblematic Alcalá de Henares Film Festival, and so far it has been screened in more than 50 events in 20 countries, such as the Animation Festival of Annecy (France), the Bristol Encounters (United Kingdom), Anima Mundi (Brazil) or the Animation Nights (New York). Prizes won: Best Art Animation at the Expression Art Movie Festival (Los Angeles, USA), Best Short Film (exaequo) at the Animaze Animation International Festival (Montreal, Canada), Best Experimental Animation Short at the International Animation Cardboard Festival - La Tribu (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Best Animation Short Film at the Astorga Film Festival (Spain), Best Valencian Animation at the Cortoons (Gandía)

Not to confuse with 1960 born István Székely pianist.

István Székely pianist

István Székely pianist

Professor at the Katarina Gurska conservatory in Madrid, Franz Liszt Center for young talents in La Nucia and Alter Mvsici center in Cartagena (Spain).

István is considered as one of the most refined pedagogues and pianists of our time. His students are frequent winners in national and international competitions with more than hundred prizes. Pianist and internationally recognized teacher: he has been invited in Master Classes in Budapest (Hungary), in the World Teachers Conference in Novi Sad (Serbia), in the Katarina Gurska Higher Center, in Forum Musikae (Madrid), in the International Piano Festival "UIS" in Bucaramanga, in Manizales (Colombia), Special School of Music in Apatin, Sombor, Senta, Backa Topola (Serbia), Professional Conservatory in Alicante and Dénia, in the International Festival of Music in Valencia etc. He is jury member in frequent international competitions such as Bucaramanga (Colombia), the IMFV Valencia competition, the Ibiza International Competition, the "Villa de Xabia" International Contest, the Franz Liszt Contest in Rome (Italy), Béla Bartók Contest in Graz (Austria) etc.

Winner of several awards in national and international competitions. Since the age of 15 he has given recitals in Europe, the United States, South America and Asia. To name a few: in Alexandria and New Harmony (Indianapolis, USA), in the International Piano Festival in Bucaramanga, International Piano Festival in Barrancabermeja, cycle "International Season in Manizales" (Colombia), "Kolarac" in Belgrade ( Serbia), in the "Kodály" Institute, "Kodály" School, in the "Béla Bartók" Museum, in one of the most important festivals "Zsidó Kulturális Fesztivál" in Szeged (Hungary), recitals in Sweden, Greece, in the festival "Midis-minimes", in "Muziekacademie de Berchem-Sainte-Agathe in Brussels (Belgium) and in Spain in important auditoriums such as the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid, Palau de la Música in Valencia, Teatro Principal de Alcoy, congress center" Victor Villegas "in Murcia, in the" Adoc ", in the University of Burgos, in the International Chamber Music Festival in Calpe, in" Dénia Classics ",  Aula de la Cam in Alicante, Teulada Auditorium, La Beneficencia in Valencia, in the Auditorio de la Diputación, "ADDA" in Alicante, Auditorium Mediterrania in La Nucia among others. He has performed in private concert for the Princess of Thailand S.A.R. Chulabhorn Mahidol.

He is founder and member of the international Camerata "Universal Music". He has performed with international artists such as Clara Novakova, Joaquin Palomares, Joan Enric Lluna, Jovan Bogosavljevic, Susanna Gregorian, with the soloists of the Orchestra of Valencia etc.

In 2017 István Székely made the recording of five Chopin studios of exceptional virtuosity for the sounding of the animated short film Impromptu, directed by María Lorenzo and produced by Enrique Millán, with the participation of Cultur Arts (Generalitat Valencian) and the A Punt Media network . Impromptu has been one of the most relevant Spanish animation shorts of the last year, being shortlisted for the Goya 2018 Awards. It was premiered at the emblematic Alcalá de Henares Film Festival, and so far it has been screened in more than 50 events in 20 countries, such as the Animation Festival of Annecy (France), the Bristol Encounters (United Kingdom), Anima Mundi (Brazil) or the Animation Nights (New York). Prizes won: Best Art Animation at the Expression Art Movie Festival (Los Angeles, USA), Best Short Film (exaequo) at the Animaze Animation International Festival (Montreal, Canada), Best Experimental Animation Short at the International Animation Cardboard Festival - La Tribu (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Best Animation Short Film at the Astorga Film Festival (Spain), Best Valencian Animation at the Cortoons (Gandía)

Not to confuse with 1960 born István Székely pianist.

Roberto Galletto

Roberto Galletto

Heir to the chamber music tradition of Eugenio Bagnoli (renowned pianist disciple of  A.Casella with multifaceted activities in duo with N.Milstein, H.Szeryng, Y.Menuhin, Z.Francescatti, J.Starker and many others) to which he owes his training, he graduated with highest honors from the Conservatory "B. Marcello" in Venice. Follows the courses of Franco Gulli, Marco Zuccarini and of the New York University-Department of Music, also studying conducting. Performs at the Seoul Arts Center, the Gran Teatro La Fenice in Venice, at the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona, at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, at the Teatro Bibiena in Mantua, at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, and so on.

The artistic work includes hundreds of concerts in Italy, Europe, Russia, South Korea, Malaysia and Africa. He collaborates with musicians such as the violinist Felix Ayo and Georg Monch, the tenor Luigi Alva, the soprano Katia Ricciarelli, the mezzosoprano Sara Mingardo, the violinist Giuliano Fontanella, the first flute of RAI National Symphony Orchestra of Turin Dante Millozzi and others. He gets great success with concerts of Liszt, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Bach, etc. together symphony complex of fame such as the Orchestra of Radio and Television in Ljubljana.

The repertoire is vast: it includes songs from the eighteenth century to the present day and complete cycles of various authors  which all the Mozart sonatas for piano and violin, the work for piano duet by Mozart and Brahms, the Sonatas by Hummel with flute, etc.

He is invited to play in honor to the tenor Luciano Pavarotti, the mezzosoprano Giulietta Simionato and others bigs artists; he performs live for domestic and foreign TV broadcasting. Makes recordings for the labels Decca, Newton Compton, Rivo Alto, Idyllium, Inedita CD e Metis Film. He Is often jury president or member in national and international piano and chamber music competition, regularly gives courses and masterclasses in Italy and abroad (Paderewski Academy of Poznan - Poland, Staatliche Hochschule fur Musik in Mannheim - Germany, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn - Estonia, State Conservatoire in Kazan - Russia, etc).

The last year he receives the Rotary International’s Prize “Agape 2020” for the Arts. His students are often rewarded in various Italian and international competitions. By years is artistic director of several concert seasons and music performance competitions: actually he is member of the National Artistic Direction of A.Gi.Mus. and the President of A.Gi.Mus Fano. He is Professor of Chamber Music at the Statal Conservatory of Music "S. Cecilia" in Rome and institutional member of the “European Chamber Music Teachers Association”. He is the pianist of the “S.Cecilia Piano Quintet”.

www.robertogalletto.it

Roberto Galletto

Roberto Galletto

Heir to the chamber music tradition of Eugenio Bagnoli (renowned pianist disciple of  A.Casella with multifaceted activities in duo with N.Milstein, H.Szeryng, Y.Menuhin, Z.Francescatti, J.Starker and many others) to which he owes his training, he graduated with highest honors from the Conservatory "B. Marcello" in Venice. Follows the courses of Franco Gulli, Marco Zuccarini and of the New York University-Department of Music, also studying conducting. Performs at the Seoul Arts Center, the Gran Teatro La Fenice in Venice, at the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona, at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, at the Teatro Bibiena in Mantua, at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, and so on.

The artistic work includes hundreds of concerts in Italy, Europe, Russia, South Korea, Malaysia and Africa. He collaborates with musicians such as the violinist Felix Ayo and Georg Monch, the tenor Luigi Alva, the soprano Katia Ricciarelli, the mezzosoprano Sara Mingardo, the violinist Giuliano Fontanella, the first flute of RAI National Symphony Orchestra of Turin Dante Millozzi and others. He gets great success with concerts of Liszt, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Bach, etc. together symphony complex of fame such as the Orchestra of Radio and Television in Ljubljana.

The repertoire is vast: it includes songs from the eighteenth century to the present day and complete cycles of various authors  which all the Mozart sonatas for piano and violin, the work for piano duet by Mozart and Brahms, the Sonatas by Hummel with flute, etc.

He is invited to play in honor to the tenor Luciano Pavarotti, the mezzosoprano Giulietta Simionato and others bigs artists; he performs live for domestic and foreign TV broadcasting. Makes recordings for the labels Decca, Newton Compton, Rivo Alto, Idyllium, Inedita CD e Metis Film. He Is often jury president or member in national and international piano and chamber music competition, regularly gives courses and masterclasses in Italy and abroad (Paderewski Academy of Poznan - Poland, Staatliche Hochschule fur Musik in Mannheim - Germany, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn - Estonia, State Conservatoire in Kazan - Russia, etc).

The last year he receives the Rotary International’s Prize “Agape 2020” for the Arts. His students are often rewarded in various Italian and international competitions. By years is artistic director of several concert seasons and music performance competitions: actually he is member of the National Artistic Direction of A.Gi.Mus. and the President of A.Gi.Mus Fano. He is Professor of Chamber Music at the Statal Conservatory of Music "S. Cecilia" in Rome and institutional member of the “European Chamber Music Teachers Association”. He is the pianist of the “S.Cecilia Piano Quintet”.

www.robertogalletto.it

Julianna Kiss

Julianna Kiss

Julianna Kiss was born in Hungary, she started her musician studies at the age of 5. She has received her first teacher Degree from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Miskolc in Hungary. She has a concert diploma in piano from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Pécs in Hungary. From 2012 to 2015 she studied Mentor teacher program and Kovács-method at the Budapest ELTE-PPK University. She has received her Postgraduate Degree (Piano, Art Song, Chamber Music Repertoire) in Universitát für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien. Her Professors: Thomas Kreuzberger, Eun Ju Lee, Yuko Batik. She received further impulses from professors of piano, such as Sándor Falvai, Gyöngyi Keveházi, László Gyimesi, Attila Némethy, Tamás Vásáry, Dénes Varjon, Csaba Király. Who are famous teachers of the Hungarian piano school.

She studied heritage of Liszt and Bartók and Russian piano school method from them.
She studied the fortepiano music on the Masterclass of legendary Prof. Malcom Bilson.
She studied chamber music at the Music University of Padua.
She won on several National and International Music Competition. Her repertoire is vast: it includes piano solo and several chamber music pieces.
She is a piano accompanist for several choirs.

She works in Budapest as a sought-after piano teacher and is also employed by the Hungary as a piano mentor and piano consultant.
She is an enthusiastic representative and advertiser of Kovács-method, which takes an important part in her work.

In 2013, EMMI (Ministry of Human Resources, department of Hungarian Government) adjudicated her the „Bonis Bona – For the Talents of the Nation” award, because of her prominent work in music teaching and talent management. From 2014 she is a member of „Nemzeti Pedagógus Kar” (National Teacher Faculty). She became consultant for music teachers in 2015.
Hungarian Silver Cross of Merit state award in 2023. The Hungarian Order of Merit is the fourth highest State Order of Hungary. The degrees of the Order of Merit are awarded to persons who carry out exemplary activities in the field of culture, science, art, as well as in their own field of expertise - in order to promote the interests of Hungary and increase universal human interests. The awards are granted by the President of the Republic.
Her piano students have already won close than 500 prizes at national and international
competitions.

Julianna is the founder and artistic director of the Danubia Talents International Music Festival and Competitions. She hold several masterclasses in Hungary and abroad.
She is also jury president or member at various national and international competitions in (Catania, Rome, Ischia, Orbetello) – Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary.

As a concert pianist she tours all over Europe. She has given many charity concert in Hungary and abroad. Her artistic work includes hundreds of concerts.
She has invited to play with Daniel Lugosi clarinetist he performed live for TV broad casting. (VirtuososTalent Show) Daniel Lugosi won on the Virtuosos Talent Show.
She organized the first Casio Festival in Hungary Roma Vienna gave a concert. She has organize concerts and exhibitions for young talents and supports young talents in many ways form.

She participated with four Hungarian young students in an ERASMUS program in ITALY (2018. Music, a bridge among cultures).

Publications: dr. Kovács Géza Memory book: Kovács-method in professional piano education.

Source: http://www.hetek.hu/interju/201402/zenelni_csak_szivvel_lehet

Contacts: kissjuli.info@gmail.com, zongorilla7@gmail.com
 https://www.facebook.com/juli.kiss.520

Julianna Kiss

Julianna Kiss

Julianna Kiss was born in Hungary, she started her musician studies at the age of 5. She has received her first teacher Degree from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Miskolc in Hungary. She has a concert diploma in piano from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Pécs in Hungary. From 2012 to 2015 she studied Mentor teacher program and Kovács-method at the Budapest ELTE-PPK University. She has received her Postgraduate Degree (Piano, Art Song, Chamber Music Repertoire) in Universitát für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien. Her Professors: Thomas Kreuzberger, Eun Ju Lee, Yuko Batik. She received further impulses from professors of piano, such as Sándor Falvai, Gyöngyi Keveházi, László Gyimesi, Attila Némethy, Tamás Vásáry, Dénes Varjon, Csaba Király. Who are famous teachers of the Hungarian piano school.

She studied heritage of Liszt and Bartók and Russian piano school method from them.
She studied the fortepiano music on the Masterclass of legendary Prof. Malcom Bilson.
She studied chamber music at the Music University of Padua.
She won on several National and International Music Competition. Her repertoire is vast: it includes piano solo and several chamber music pieces.
She is a piano accompanist for several choirs.

She works in Budapest as a sought-after piano teacher and is also employed by the Hungary as a piano mentor and piano consultant.
She is an enthusiastic representative and advertiser of Kovács-method, which takes an important part in her work.

In 2013, EMMI (Ministry of Human Resources, department of Hungarian Government) adjudicated her the „Bonis Bona – For the Talents of the Nation” award, because of her prominent work in music teaching and talent management. From 2014 she is a member of „Nemzeti Pedagógus Kar” (National Teacher Faculty). She became consultant for music teachers in 2015.
Hungarian Silver Cross of Merit state award in 2023. The Hungarian Order of Merit is the fourth highest State Order of Hungary. The degrees of the Order of Merit are awarded to persons who carry out exemplary activities in the field of culture, science, art, as well as in their own field of expertise - in order to promote the interests of Hungary and increase universal human interests. The awards are granted by the President of the Republic.
Her piano students have already won close than 500 prizes at national and international
competitions.

Julianna is the founder and artistic director of the Danubia Talents International Music Festival and Competitions. She hold several masterclasses in Hungary and abroad.
She is also jury president or member at various national and international competitions in (Catania, Rome, Ischia, Orbetello) – Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary.

As a concert pianist she tours all over Europe. She has given many charity concert in Hungary and abroad. Her artistic work includes hundreds of concerts.
She has invited to play with Daniel Lugosi clarinetist he performed live for TV broad casting. (VirtuososTalent Show) Daniel Lugosi won on the Virtuosos Talent Show.
She organized the first Casio Festival in Hungary Roma Vienna gave a concert. She has organize concerts and exhibitions for young talents and supports young talents in many ways form.

She participated with four Hungarian young students in an ERASMUS program in ITALY (2018. Music, a bridge among cultures).

Publications: dr. Kovács Géza Memory book: Kovács-method in professional piano education.

Source: http://www.hetek.hu/interju/201402/zenelni_csak_szivvel_lehet

Contacts: kissjuli.info@gmail.com, zongorilla7@gmail.com
 https://www.facebook.com/juli.kiss.520

Drahomira Biligova

Drahomira Biligova pianist

Graduated in piano studies with full marks under the guidance of Pavla Pokojna at the Conservatory of Bratislava, her hometown.

Specialised in piano studies in Belgium with Jacques Genty, winning the Premier Prix at the Conservatory of Mons, at Bonn with Stefan Askenase and in Rome with Fausto Zadra, Carlo Zecchi, Tito Aprea and Guido Agosti.

Specialisation courses at the Salzburg Mozarteum with Carlo Zecchi and Enrico Mainardi, and at the Centro Internazionale di Studi Musicali with Nikita Magaloff. Winner of the First Prize at the Brussels “F. Chopin” Contest in 1969, since then she has held numerous concerts for major concert organisations, both as soloist and with chamber orchestra, in Czechoslovakia, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Turkey and Italy.

She has taken part in international festivals, including the XXI Festival dei Due Mondi at Spoleto. For Italian television, she recorded a commemorative concert for the 50th anniversary of the death of Leos Janacek. She has recorded for RCA, as well as participating in the sound tracks of Nino Rota, Luis Bacalov, Armando Trovaioli and Carlo Crivelli. In December 2003 she took part in the Manifestazione Internazionale di Musica Contemporanea “Corpi del Suono”, performing “Plus Minus” by Stockhausen. She holds specialisation courses regularly in Italy and abroad, and has sat on the jury of numerous Italian and international contests. She holds the principal chair for pianoforte at the Conservatory “A. Casella” at L’Aquila, Italy.

Drahomira Biligova

Drahomira Biligova pianist

Graduated in piano studies with full marks under the guidance of Pavla Pokojna at the Conservatory of Bratislava, her hometown.

Specialised in piano studies in Belgium with Jacques Genty, winning the Premier Prix at the Conservatory of Mons, at Bonn with Stefan Askenase and in Rome with Fausto Zadra, Carlo Zecchi, Tito Aprea and Guido Agosti.

Specialisation courses at the Salzburg Mozarteum with Carlo Zecchi and Enrico Mainardi, and at the Centro Internazionale di Studi Musicali with Nikita Magaloff. Winner of the First Prize at the Brussels “F. Chopin” Contest in 1969, since then she has held numerous concerts for major concert organisations, both as soloist and with chamber orchestra, in Czechoslovakia, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Turkey and Italy.

She has taken part in international festivals, including the XXI Festival dei Due Mondi at Spoleto. For Italian television, she recorded a commemorative concert for the 50th anniversary of the death of Leos Janacek. She has recorded for RCA, as well as participating in the sound tracks of Nino Rota, Luis Bacalov, Armando Trovaioli and Carlo Crivelli. In December 2003 she took part in the Manifestazione Internazionale di Musica Contemporanea “Corpi del Suono”, performing “Plus Minus” by Stockhausen. She holds specialisation courses regularly in Italy and abroad, and has sat on the jury of numerous Italian and international contests. She holds the principal chair for pianoforte at the Conservatory “A. Casella” at L’Aquila, Italy.

Prof. Rintaro Akamatsu

Prof. Rintaro Akamatsu

Rintaro Akamatsu began studying the piano and the violin at the age of 2, and the cello at the age of 6. He showed remarkable talent from a very young age. At the age of 5, he made his TV debut, showcasing his skills. By the age of 10, he performed Mozart's concerto with his original cadenza. Since winning the All Japan Student Music Competition in 1990, he has achieved success in several major competitions in Japan.

His first international recognition came in 2000 when he won third prize at the Clara Schumann International Piano Competition, which featured esteemed judges such as Martha Argerich and Nelson Freire. Dr. Joachim Kaiser praised him as "really intelligent and talented" during this achievement.

After graduating from Kobe University, he received unanimous acclaim from the judges who awarded him the Diplôme Supérieur de Concertiste for both piano and chamber music at L’Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. He excelled in chamber music, receiving full marks from all the judges. He has studied under renowned musicians such as Mikhail Voskresensky in Tokyo, France Clidat and Jean Micault in Paris, György Nádor and Kocsis Zoltán in Budapest, and Nina Patchett and Christian Ivaldi for chamber music.

He has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Royal Metropolitan Orchestra, Royal Chamber Orchestra, Danube Symphony Orchestra, and Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. In addition to performing in major concert halls in Japan, he has showcased his talent in the USA, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Taiwan, and Colombia. His recordings, including "Due Domenico," "Angel del Piazzolla," "And the Bell Tolls," "Hommage a Invention," "Lascia ch'io Pianga," and "Für Clara," released under King International, have received critical acclaim from various magazines.

Moreover, he serves as a jury member for numerous international piano competitions, such as the "Danubia Talents," "Osaka," "Xabia," "Liszt," "Orbetello," "Monegrarte," and "Scandinavian" International Music Competitions. He has been invited to teach master classes in Japan, Asia, and Europe, and has had the privilege of mentoring over 1,000 musicians throughout his career. His guidance and expertise have contributed to the success of many talented individuals, who have emerged as winners in significant domestic and international competitions.

He has also authored numerous works and contributed serials to newspapers and magazines, providing insights into his experiences, knowledge, and perspectives on music. These written contributions showcase his multifaceted presence in the arts.

Currently, Rintaro Akamatsu is Professor of Osaka College of Music, Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, Utsunomiya Junior College, Budapest International Piano Masterclass. The President of the Japan Liszt Piano Academy. An ambassador for Casio.

For more information, please visit http://rintaro-akamatsu.com/.

Prof. Rintaro Akamatsu

Prof. Rintaro Akamatsu

Rintaro Akamatsu began studying the piano and the violin at the age of 2, and the cello at the age of 6. He showed remarkable talent from a very young age. At the age of 5, he made his TV debut, showcasing his skills. By the age of 10, he performed Mozart's concerto with his original cadenza. Since winning the All Japan Student Music Competition in 1990, he has achieved success in several major competitions in Japan.

His first international recognition came in 2000 when he won third prize at the Clara Schumann International Piano Competition, which featured esteemed judges such as Martha Argerich and Nelson Freire. Dr. Joachim Kaiser praised him as "really intelligent and talented" during this achievement.

After graduating from Kobe University, he received unanimous acclaim from the judges who awarded him the Diplôme Supérieur de Concertiste for both piano and chamber music at L’Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. He excelled in chamber music, receiving full marks from all the judges. He has studied under renowned musicians such as Mikhail Voskresensky in Tokyo, France Clidat and Jean Micault in Paris, György Nádor and Kocsis Zoltán in Budapest, and Nina Patchett and Christian Ivaldi for chamber music.

He has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Royal Metropolitan Orchestra, Royal Chamber Orchestra, Danube Symphony Orchestra, and Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. In addition to performing in major concert halls in Japan, he has showcased his talent in the USA, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Taiwan, and Colombia. His recordings, including "Due Domenico," "Angel del Piazzolla," "And the Bell Tolls," "Hommage a Invention," "Lascia ch'io Pianga," and "Für Clara," released under King International, have received critical acclaim from various magazines.

Moreover, he serves as a jury member for numerous international piano competitions, such as the "Danubia Talents," "Osaka," "Xabia," "Liszt," "Orbetello," "Monegrarte," and "Scandinavian" International Music Competitions. He has been invited to teach master classes in Japan, Asia, and Europe, and has had the privilege of mentoring over 1,000 musicians throughout his career. His guidance and expertise have contributed to the success of many talented individuals, who have emerged as winners in significant domestic and international competitions.

He has also authored numerous works and contributed serials to newspapers and magazines, providing insights into his experiences, knowledge, and perspectives on music. These written contributions showcase his multifaceted presence in the arts.

Currently, Rintaro Akamatsu is Professor of Osaka College of Music, Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, Utsunomiya Junior College, Budapest International Piano Masterclass. The President of the Japan Liszt Piano Academy. An ambassador for Casio.

For more information, please visit http://rintaro-akamatsu.com/.