Denis Kozhukhin to play piano concert Nov. 9

Western Washington University’s Sanford-Hill Piano Series will debut its tenth season with a concert featuring Denis Kozhukhin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.

Winner of the First Prize in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, Russian-born Kozhukhin will kick off the Sanford-Hill Piano Series’ “Season of Pure Gold.” In celebration of its 10th anniversary, three outstanding gold medalists from around the world will be featured as part of the 2012-2013 season.

Kozhukhin has appeared at many of the world’s most prestigious festivals and concert halls including the Verbier Festival, where he won the Prix d’Honneur in 2003, Rheingau Music Festival, Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival, Carnegie Hall, and Auditorium du Louvre Paris. His previous awards include 1st Prize at the Vendome Prize in Lisbon in 2009, and 3rd Prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2006.

Kozhukhin graduated from the Reine Sofia School of Music where he studied with Dimitri Bashkirov and Claudio Martinez-Mechner. Upon graduating, he received his diploma personally from the Queen of Spain and was named best student in his year and twice best chamber group with his own Cervantes Trio. After his studies in Madrid, Kozhukhin was invited to study at the Piano Academy at Lake Como where he received tuition from amongst others Fou Ts’ong, Stanislav Yudenitch, Peter Frankl, Boris Berman, Charles Rosen and Andreas Staier.

In addition to his evening recital, Kozhukhin will conduct a master class from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, in the PAC Concert Hall. The master class is free and open to the public.

Tickets for the concert are available through the WWU Box Office and cost $9 students; $18 seniors, WWU faculty and staff; $24 general. A limited selection of tickets will also be available at Village Books and the Community Food Co-op.

WWU Box Office hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and one hour prior to the performance. For individual tickets or disability accommodations, contact the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146 or visit http://www.tickets.wwu.edu.

Now in its 10th season, the Sanford-Hill Piano Series will also feature Haochen Zhang in January 2013 and Alessio Bax in May 2013 as part of its “Season of Pure Gold.”

For more information, please visit http://www.wwu.edu/sanfordhill or call the WWU Department of Music at (360) 650-3130.