8 year old girl amazed jury and audience
With her little body and small hands,an eight-year-old-girl exhibited outstanding maturity and infinite musical talent. She, Miss Aimi Kobayashi won at the grade under 15 years old(Jr.G grade), leaving other participants far behind.
At the final round, she performed Beethoven Sonata No.10-1, Chopin Etude op.25-2 and Nocturne. Her music was really coming from inside, and was expressed thoroughly on the piano. The Chief Jury, Prof.Mieko Harimoto(head professor of piano faclulty, Tokyo Music College) addressed "Construction of Beethoven Sonata, concentration to play the 3rd movement without any disruption, was remarkable. And her technique was really proficient." Prof.Yoheved Kaplinsky (head professor of Juilliard School) who also served as an adjudicator of Jr.G grade, praised her distinguished talent and maturity which was well beyond the expectation.
The emergence of this little pianist is not by chance. Prof.Harimoto analyzed that the development of educational materials for young piano learners are greatly dedicated. For instance, the assistant pedaling system has been developed, so that even young children under 140cm can play with sensitive and natural pedaling. This was invented by one of the PTNA members, whose idea was based upon researches and experiments over 10 years.
The efforts to make better education materials helps the innovation of piano study in Japan.
Ms.Kobayashi will play in Paris next March with three other Japanese young pianists.
Okido
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