Kotaro Nagano (Japan) wins Australian International Chopin Competition on Yamaha CFX

Kotaro Nagano from Japan has won the $25 000 first prize at the Australian International Chopin Competition, performing on a Yamaha CFX concert grand piano. 

Some of the world’s brightest young pianists have been competing over the last week at the competition which was held at Australian National University in Canberra. Eleven pianists from seven countries competed for $40 000 in total prize money over several rounds and finals.

This highly prestigious and gruelling competition requires performances of various piano works by Chopin, arguably the most revered and inventive piano composer. Competitors can select their piano of choice throughout the competition, and Yamaha technicians were on hand between each round to attend to the finer adjustments required by the competitors. 

Demonstrating qualities it has become known for, the Yamaha CFX provided the range of tone, flexibility, and control to underscore Mr Nagano’s impressive performance. 

No stranger to competition success, Mr Nagano won both First Prize and Special Prize in the 12th Taipei International Chopin Piano Competition (2008) and first prize in the Tokyo Piano Competition (2010). 

Daria Kamaneva of Russia came second, and Elina Akselrud finished third.