Shunta Morimoto

Japan I Age 14

Shunta Morimoto has won first in his category three times in the Piano Teachers’ National Association of Japan Piano Competition, as well as other competitions in his home country, which has led to multiple performances in Tokyo, Yokohama, and his home town of Kyoto. He also placed first in the 2018 Aloha International Piano Competition and subsequently gave concerts in Hawaii, including with the Hawaii Youth Symphony. He says that experience helped him believe in the “magical power of music,” because he could use it to communicate easily where a language barrier may have prohibited him. A student at Momoyama Junior High School, Shunta currently studies with Shohei Sekimoto.

“It is often said that music is beyond all boundaries. But at the same time, the individuality and musical personality of good musicians often reflect their national cultural background. I believe the cultural and musical exchanges that I will have during the competition will help me gain a better understanding and a broader perspective on art and music.”

Competitor Profile

Repertoire

Preliminary Round
BACH Prelude and Fugue in E Major, BWV 854
CHOPIN Etude in C-sharp Minor, op. 10, no. 4
SCRIABIN Etude in A-flat Major, op. 42, no. 3
SCRIABIN Waltz in A-flat Major, op. 38
SCHUBERT-LISZT Der Erlkönig, S. 558, no. 4

Quarterfinal Round
HAYDN Sonata in B-flat Major, Hob. XVI:41
DEBUSSY L’isle joyeuse
CHOPIN Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, op. 27, no. 1
LISZT Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S. 514

>

Semifinal Round

TOKUYAMA Musica Nara for Piano, op. 25

BEETHOVEN Rondo a capriccio in G Major, op. 129 (“Rage over a lost penny”)

CHOPIN Trois nouvelles études, B. 130

RACHMANINOV Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, op. 36 (1931)

Final Round

LISZT Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, S. 124