KU News Release

Winner of international piano competition to play live at Kansas Public Radio studio

LAWRENCE — The winner of one of the most prestigious international music competitions will play exclusively for Kansas Public Radio listeners next week.

Jon Nakamatsu, who won the gold medal in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1997, will be in KPR’s live performance studio from 11:10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 15, during Rachel Hunter’s morning classical music show. Hunter will interview Nakamatsu between selections.

A native of California, Nakamatsu claimed a distinguished place on the international musical scene in June 1997 when he won the Van Cliburn award. A former high school German teacher, he became a hero overnight in the traditional medium of classical music.

Nakamatsu also will perform with the Topeka Symphony at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, in White Concert Hall at Washburn University. John Strickler will conduct the performance. Nakamatsu will perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

Also scheduled to visit the KPR studio is the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. The performance is set for 11:10 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 23. The orchestra will perform at the Kansas Silent Film Festival from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. The festival, at White Concert Hall, is free and open to the public.

KPR, licensed to the University of Kansas, broadcasts on KANU 91.5 FM in Lawrence, KANH 89.7 FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City and K210CR 89.9 FM in Atchison. KPR can be heard on the Internet at kpr.ku.edu. KPR operates KPR-2, a news-talk channel on HD Radio. Those broadcasts can be heard on a high-definition receiver or on KPR’s Web site.

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