UAB Professor of Piano Yakov Kasman, D.M.A., has been invited to be a member of the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition jury in Bolzano, Italy. The competition for young pianists is considered one of the world’s top music competitions.
Kasman will represent the United States and Russia on the seven-member jury for the competition’s preliminary round, Aug. 22-31, 2012.
“We are going to listen to 150 pianists and select 24 who will play in the finals next year,” Kasman says. “The Busoni competition is one of the most prestigious and most difficult competitions in the world. Its previous winners are leading pianists of our time. It is a huge responsibility and honor to work in this jury.”
The Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition was first organized by Cesare Nordio in 1949 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the death of its namesake, a pianist and composer.
Kasman also will be a soloist with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at its Maestro’s Ball concert at 6 p.m. Sept. 7, 2012, performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”