2009-2010 Season
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Santiago Rodriguez
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Called "a phenomenal pianist" by the New York Times and "among the finest pianists in the world" by the Baltimore Sun, Santiago Rodriguez performs internationally with leading orchestras including the Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, London and Tokyo Symphony Orchestras.
Born in Cuba, he began his piano studies at age four. After Castro seized power, his parents sent Mr. Rodriguez and his younger brother to America under the care of Catholic Charities. He spent the next six years in an orphanage in New Orleans. Fortunately, his mother had concealed money along with a note begging the nuns to continue his musical education. Two years after his arrival, he made his concert debut at age ten performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 27 with the New Orleans Philharmonic. His international career was launched in 1981 when he won the Silver Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.