Publicity BioDistinguished Professor
Artist-in-Residence
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235 Hulsey Center
(205) 934-8942

Research and Teaching Interests:  Classical Piano Music

Office Hours: By appointment

Education:

• BM, Moscow State Conservatory
• MM, Moscow State Conservatory
• DMA, Moscow State Conservatory

Yakov Kasman’s debut in America in 1997 as Silver Medalist in the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth was the culmination of several competition triumphs and tours in Europe and the Middle East, including top prizes at the 1991 Valentino Bucchi Competition in Rome, the 1991 London World Piano Competition, the 1992 Arthur Rubinstein International Competition in Tel Aviv, and the 1995 International Prokofiev Competition at St. Petersburg. Since his American debut, he has given concerts in the North and South Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and has appeared as soloist with more than 70 orchestras.

Dr. Kasman has 15 studio recordings on the Calliope label (see Select Recordings below). His recordings of the complete sonatas of Prokofiev was awarded the "Grand Prix de la Nouvelle Academie du Disque" in France in 1996. International Piano Quarterly recommended his Moussorgsky’s "Pictures at an Exhibition" as one of 14 equally ranked best in a survey of recordings over the past 75 years. His Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1 and Schnittke’s Concerto for Piano and Strings received the "Choc du monde de la musique" award in France, is rated highest for artistry and sound quality by ClassicsToday.com, and referred to as "superlative" in the American Record Guide. His All-Tchaikovsky CD featuring "The Seasons" and Grand Sonata in G-Major was rated 10/10 by ClassicsTodayFrance.com in December 2005.

Dr. Kasman is an active teacher and adjudicator. He is involved in local, state, and national music teachers organizations as guest artist, teacher, and adjudicator. His students are winners of regional, national and international competitions. He served as a jury member at piano competitions nationally and internationally. He has been guest artist and faculty at the Piano Texas International Academy and Festival in Fort Worth, the Summer Keyboard Institute SKI/Colorado, Busan International Music Academy in South Korea, and for several years at the International Summer Music Academy in Kiev, Ukraine.

For full details of his recent engagements, masterclasses, jury service, and other performance details, see Dr. Kasman's publicity bio.