Enrique Graf

hen Enrique Graf arrived in America 18 years ago, he had completed his studies at the Falleri-Balzo Conservatory and had already garnered all the national awards for piano competitions in Uruguay. He came to the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University to study with the renowned Leon Fleisher on a full scholarship from the Organization of American States and the Peabody Conservatory. Graf became a citizen of the U.S. two years ago and, at age 47, has won awards, critical acclaim, and accolades from all over the world.

In March 2000, the distinguished classical pianist was honored at the Fifth Annual American Immigration Achievement Awards in Washington, D.C. Foundation chairperson, Laura Foote Reiff, praised Graf, "As a Uruguayan immigrant who has achieved great success as a renowned musician, you are truly an inspiration to others." Previous recipients include Pulitzer Prize winner Patrick Oliphant, tenor Placido Domingo, Congressman Tom Lantos, General John M. Shalikashvili, and therapist Ruth Westheimer.

"It's a great honor to be recognized for my work," says Graf. "Placido is the only other classical musician who has received this award."

In 1990, Graf founded the International Piano Series (IPS) at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, where he serves as Artistic Advisor for IPS, Artist-in-Residence and Associate Professor. At its 10th anniversary IPS concert in April, he performed Mozart concertos on a Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand piano, with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Stahl. The performance was lauded by Post and Courier critic William Furtwangler as "sensational, poetic, dramatic, lyric — an ingenious mix of simplicity and complexity." Graf is pleased that approximately 20 Yamaha pianos are now used on the Charleston campus for concerts, recitals, and practicing. "A Yamaha C2 conservatory grand piano is in my office/studio, and it is a very beautiful piano," he says. "It has a very mellow sound, just gorgeous!"

When touring, Graf prefers the CFIIIS. In July, he conducted master classes and performed the Grieg Concerto with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Colombia, conducted by Erwin Hoffman. "The CFIIIS cut through the orchestra so well, with its brilliant sound. It has a very nice tone and responsive action."

Yamaha Named Official Piano of the Florida Grand Opera

he Florida Grand Opera, founded in 1941, has the 10th largest audience of any opera company in the United States. The innovative company, which hosted the American debut of Luciano Pavarotti in 1965, consistently presents an exciting season. Yamaha has recently been named the Official Piano of the Florida Grand Opera.

Karl W. Hesser, director of artistic administration for the Opera, says, "We're very excited about this new relationship. For years, the pianists and singers who have performed with the Opera have been telling us, 'you should get a Yamaha piano,' because they prefer the touch, the feel, and the sound of the pianos. Yamaha makes a superior instrument, and we're delighted to be associated with them."

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