XXIX International Chopin Festival
"Lato z Chopinem"
named after Barbara Hesse-Bukowska
Busko-Zdrój, July 17-21, 2024
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©Shigeto Imura
Mao Fujita, Japan
17 year old award winning pianist from Japan, Mao Fujita, has been performing internationally and performed with many major symphony orchestras in Japan. His debut with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra in 2010 has garnered Fujita great acclaim and recognition as a raising star pianist. One commentator observed “What he does with his hands is technically incredible and possesses an extraordinary musicality”.
Mao has won numerous international piano competitions. In 2009, he received Grand Prix at the 19th Japan Classical Music Competition. Also he represented Japan in “The World Classic 2010” (Taiwan) and won 1st prize in Junior Section. In 2010, Mao won 1st prize in the elementary school division at Tokyo competition of 64th Student Music Concours of Japan. Then he proceeded to win 1st prize nationwide. During the competition, he was also given many awards such as the Nomura Award, the Aiko Iguchi Award, the Incentive Award of Music, and the Yokohama Citizen Prize (Audience Prize).
In 2013, Mao became first Japanese pianist to win 1st prize at the 5th International Rosario Marciano Piano Competition in Vienna, and also received Wagner & Verdi Award. Later in the same year, Mao performed with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and he gave a solo recital in the prestigious Tsuda Hall. Also he released his first album “MAO FUJITA” (NYCC-10001) from Naxos Japan. The album releasing ceremony and the events were held in various major cities in Japan.
In 2015, Mao won 1st prize at the 1th ZHUHAI INTERNATIONAL MOZART COMPETITION FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS Group B. Also he released his second album “YOUNG VIRTUOSO” (NYCC-27296) from Naxos Japan.
In 2016, Mao won 1st prize at the 20th HAMAMATSU INTERNATIONAL PIANO ACADEMY COMPETITION.
Mao has been performing in solo recitals and joint concerts worldwide. Mao is a frequent guest artist at the Festival Lato z Chopinem, the Chopin Summer Festival in Busko-Zdroj and Kurozweki in Poland, and at the Festival Assisi nel Mondo, the Assisi in the World Festival in Assisi, Italy, and FESTIVAL NEXT GENERATION in Bad Ragaz,Switzerland.He is expanding his range of activities internationally as a young pianist whose success in future is anticipated.
Mao Fujita started learning Piano at the age of 3 and has been learning Piano under Ms. Yuka Matsuyama and Prof. Gen Matsuyama since the age of 9, until the present day. He studied solfeggio under Mr. Yo Nishio. As a scholarship student Mao is currently studying at the Piano Performance for Talented Student Division at the Tokyo College of Music High School.