Details: Kumi Uchimoto began studying piano at the age of four. She went on to study with Chieko Hara de Cassado and Ryoko Fukazawa before continuing her studies in Italy with Nunzio Mantanari, Martha Del Vecchio, and Michele Campanella. She received her diploma summa cum laude from the Conservatorio 'C. Monteverdi' in Bolzano and specialized at the Accademia Pianistica di Imola, receiving her diploma as a soloist. On her new release for Stradivarius she presents 24 Piano Preludes that come from her home country of Japan. The composers, including Akiko Yamane, Tomoko Fukui, Motoharu Kawashima, and others, utilize an engaging and intriguing combination of Western classical music techniques and Japanese folk ideals.