Even though I had previewed the Young Pianist Series recital appearance by Ray Ushikubo, I admit that I was not at all prepared for a performance that literally left me speechless. On paper, one might assume that the 17-year-old pianist would be your average supremely-talented teen at the beginning of his serious music education—Ushikubo has entered the Curtis Institute of Music this year to pursue his Bachelor’s degree. Average? No. Supremely talented? Most definitely.
KSO This Week: Mozart, Richard Strauss, Higdon, and Prokofiev
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra concerts this week feature guest conductor Eckart Preu in works by Mozart, Prokofiev, Higdon, and Richard Strauss. Alon Goldstein will be the pianist in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor.