Jon Nakamatsu, Distinguished United States Pianist, Offers Recital in Residence of United States Ambassador

March 18, 2002

Jon Nakamatsu, Distinguished United States Pianist, Offers Recital in Residence of United States Ambassador

SANTO DOMINGO – In honor of the persons who support various educational programs sponsored by the United States Embassy in the Dominican Repubilc, Ambassador Hans H. Hertell and Mrs. Marie Hertell offered a piano recital in the residence of the diplomatic mission featuring famous United States pianist Jon Nakamatsu, winner of the Gold Medal in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, who played a repertoir which included melodies of the great classics.

Aside from the recital in the Ambassador’s residence, Jon Nakamatsu will participate as guest soloist with the National Symphony next March 20.

Ambassador Hertell and his wife welcomed more than one hundred guests in their residence, who enjoyed the music of Frédéric Chopin, Claude Debussy and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

In his remarks before the recital, Ambassador Hertell congratulated the members of the Dominican private sector present for their support of culture and education, including the Embassy´s programs of English teaching and Fulbright scholarships. “I know that those present tonight have supported cultural and educational programs for the Dominican Republic. And as we have found in our country, cultural and educational initiatives work best when both the private and public sector come together to support these endeavors.”

Jon Nakamatsu was born in California. At the age of six he began his studies with Marina Derryberry. Later he worked with Karl Ulrich Schnabel, and studied composition and orchestration with Dr. Leonard Stein of the Schoenberg Institute of the University of Southern California.

Mr. Nakamatsu is a graduate of Stanford University in California, where he majored in German Studies and later received Masters in Education. He was chosen as Debuting Artist of the Year (1998) in “Performance Today” by National Public Radio. During the course of his career he has made four recordings.

He won the Van Cliburn piano competition in 1997, becoming the first United States citizen to win the prize since 1981.

The prestigious Van Cliburn piano competition, which bears the name of one of the most renowned United States pianists, is held every four years in the city of Fort Worth, Texas.