BEHZOD

This boy in the pink shirt is becoming one of the world's great concert pianists. Behzod Abduraimov, 18 years old, a native of Uzbekistan, is a student of Stanislav Loudenitch, VanCliborn Piano Competition Gold Medalist, at Park University's International Center for Music. Last month Behzod won first prize in the prestigious London International Piano Competition. Quoting from an article in the Kansas City Star 5-3-09: "He is the youngest first prize-winner in the contest's history, beating 24 finalists during four exhausting rounds of recitals. . . . Agents are piling on offers to sign up the young pianist . . . for touring engagements around the globe. . . . The review of the piano competitiion in London's Independent newspaper said his 'electrifyingly physical delivery of Prokofiev/s exuberant Third Piano Concerto left no room for doubt as to where the first prize should go. With hands springing off the keys in the big staccato chords faster than the eye could register, and with his body almost levitating with excitement, he combined unbridled joy with a hugely impressive technical control.' . . .The jury chairwoman . . . described Abduraimov's performance as 'literally breathtaking, astonishing in its vitality and tonal range.' "
On my picture website--- Picasaweb.google.com/larryrsmith8---you can view pictures of Behzod, Stanislav's mother Marina Sultanova, Jan and I and others, taken in the Spring of 2008 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, at our house, and at Park University's Symposium.