New Year romance: Two Chopin finalists just got married

New Year romance: Two Chopin finalists just got married

News

norman lebrecht

January 01, 2023

We are delighted to report that the runner up at the last Warsaw Chopin Competition, Kyohei Sorita, has married fourth-placed Aimi Kobayashi in Japan. And they are expecting a baby.

Sankei News: 01/01/2023 22:55 JST 経Pianist Kyohei Sorita and Aimi Kobayashi got married. Both of them are active in Chopin competition.

Pianists Kyohei Sorita (28) and Aimi Kobayashi (27) got married on their social media site. Sorita took 2nd place in the 2021 Chopin International Piano Competition and Kobayashi came 4th.

He commented, “From now on, the two of us will support each other, and we want to be more devoted to each other as musicians.”

Comments

  • Petros Linardos says:

    They won a hell of a good prize!

  • I beg your pardon says:

    Well Eric Lu and Kate Liu (laureates of the 2015 Chopin competition at 4th and 3rd place respectively) are also a couple!

    But not married.

  • Guest says:

    Did they know each other before the competition?

  • David K. Nelson says:

    Time to start dipping into that rich two-piano and piano four hands repertoire.

  • Chiharu says:

    Congratulations!!
    On baby also!! Cannot happier for you both after all the hard work!
    Best of luck and a happy new year!
    Chiharu from Sapporo,
    Living in UK.

  • Fsm says:

    Both her Chopin #1 and Op 28 Preludes performances from the 2021 competition were unbeatable and legendary, all the best to her and her family.

  • Plum says:

    So sweeeeeeeet….very nice New Year news…thank you for sharing…

  • Simon says:

    Both are marvelous pianists. Best wishes to them as a married couple. Perhaps they can record duo piano music.

  • Jolanta Przeradzka says:

    Gratulacje! Jesteście wspaniali!
    Pianiści o niezwykle wysokiej kulturze osobistej. Zawsze zachwycałam się występami na konkursie w Warszawie i na festiwalu w Dusznikach. Rondo ala Mazur w wykonaniu p.Sority to mój codzienny poranek przy kawie.. Dzięki p. Ami zapamiętałam wszystkie 24 preludia opusu 28
    Życzę szczęściaDzieciątko na pewno będzie wirtuozem fortepianu. Kocham Was❤

  • TI says:

    A great surprise for 2023 ! Congratulations to them both.

    With Kyohei studying conducting in Vienna, no doubt there will be (non-overlapping) concerts / recording opportunities for them both with the Japan National Orchestra in the future !

  • C says:

    What absolutely lovely news. I wish the happy couple all the very best for their future, and hope for the swift delivery of a happy, healthy baby!

  • Keeping it in the family says:

    Let’s cheer on the next generation… more nepotism! It’s all a big money-laundering club of nobodies.

  • Jay says:

    Such a wonderful and joyous surprise….best wishes! Such talent under one roof!

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