Violinist Daichi Nakamura Won International Johannes Brahms Competition
A Japanese violinist resident in Vienna, Daichi Nakamura from Kita Kyushu, outplayed the finalists in the violin category of the 24th International Johannes Brahms Competition and won the 1st prize, September 10. A Tokyo pianist Mayu Katari finished 2nd in the piano category.
The International Johannes Brahms Competition is a gateway for success for rising musicians held annually in Pörtschach, Austria, in memory of Johannes Brahms and Japanese contestants have won prizes every year for the past seven years.
Nakamura had placed 3rd in the competition two years ago and was "looking for the first place". He commented:
"This was my second attempt and dead determined to win the top award. It's such a great feeling to have attained a set goal."
In the violin category, Rino Yoshimoto, age 14, was awarded a special prize - the Vadim Repin Prize.
Nakamura chose Tchaikovsky' concerto for his final performance to the accompaniment of the Ukrainian Symphony Orchestra.
Meanwhile, in the piano category, Mayu Katari also resident in Vienna challenged the competition for the first time. "I enjoyed playing this time", recalled she, adding:
"Yes, I tried to play as I do elsewhere. I was happy most of all for the chance to play at a placed so closely associated with Johannes Brahms."
Mayu challenged her final with Brahms' Concerto No.2. "That was my first experience to play to an orchestral accompaniment", she said, adding:
"I was pretty excited alright, but, strangely enough, I was half hoping it would never end".
Brahms spent much of his summer days in Pörtschach by Lake Wörth and is said to have composed many of his masterpieces there.
Both Nakamura and Kotari are scheduled to perform in the closing concert on September 10.