Eastman Showcase 2009
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An “A” for “Z”
In November 2008, Shizuo Kuwahara (BM ‘98) won First Prize in the 2008 Sir Georg Solti International Conducting Competition in Frankfurt am Main. Named after the famous conductor (1912-1997) who was music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1969 to 1997, the Solti Competition last year had 540 applicants from more than 70 countries. The competition judges included Solti’s widow, Lady Valerie Solti. “Z” (as he calls himself) won after conducting Weber’s “Oberon” Overture and Stravinsky’s “Firebird” Suite, and concluded the final round by leading Glinka’s “Russlan and Ludmilla” Overture. First prize consists of a cash prize of 15,000 Euros and invitations to conduct several German and international orchestras.