Today we're thrilled to announce the winner of Cantuta Concerts Opus 2, our second concert, and it is José Navarro Silberstein. He's an incredible young pianist who has really been playing all over Europe. His talent is electric, and so he was definitely a favorite among the participants and applicants this year. In our upcoming bonus episode, I interviewed José Navarro Silberstein, winner of the Cantuta Opus 2 scholarship, who will perform at Merkin Hall on February 28.
This episode highlights the Foundation for Bolivian Artists, our sponsor of the month, and their mission to support Bolivian musicians and preserve Bolivia's rich cultural traditions. I think I am a mixture of cultures, because I am in essence Bolivian, and I lived here until my 90th year, and Bolivia is one of the most important things in my life and in my music. But I also lived in many countries, and I met many cultures.
I learned some languages, and I think that constitutes a very important part of my identity and of my search, of my artistic vision, and I want to be fulfilled in these worlds. I'm very happy to be in the transition between being a student. It has been a very long path through Germany, England, Austria. I have many impressions, and this is the last point where I'm really in the transition of the student life to a professional career, and that's a very good thing of the chapel where I am.
Recognized as a winner and finalist in multiple renowned international piano competitions, including the 65th Zoni International Piano Competition, I asked Jose what inspired him to enter the Cantuta Opus 2 competition by the Foundation for Bolivian Artists, and why participating was so important to him.
I think it was something incredibly special to have a foundation to support Bolivian pianists, that we are really not necessarily many, or it's not the main activity in Bolivia, like the piano playing. So it resonated with me a lot, of course, and it's like it woke up my attention immediately, and it's really such a great thing to have the opportunity to have the Blue Concert in the American Hall, one of the most important halls in the US, possibly, and therefore in the entire planet.
So it's a very prestigious thing for me, a very big opportunity, and of course, my biggest passion is to play, and through my playing discover new cultures and new opportunities, new publics. I thought that this is like the excellent opportunity to open myself to new worlds, like in the United States.
I'd like to invite all my TPP fans and listeners to the February 28th Cantuta Concert Opus 2 at Merkin Hall in New York City, featuring and supporting this year's Foundation for Bolivian Artist winner Jose Navarro Silverstein. An exclusive discount code will be revealed in the upcoming bonus episode, where you'll get to hear Jose's entire interview. Tune in to claim your special discount.
This episode premieres on Tuesday, January 7th at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on our YouTube channel, with the audio version available simultaneously on your go-to podcast platforms. Don't miss out! Check your calendars and join us for our conversation and this exciting event.