Rudolf Firkusny performed Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor to Open the CSO’s 36th season and to celebrate his 35th anniversary of his United States debut which also included 25 tours in Europe, 10 in South America, 12 in Mexico, 2 in Australia, and 3 in Israel.
Firkusny was born and raised in Moravia. Moravia is the easternmost province of the modern day Czech Republic and home of the medieval kingdom known as Great Moravia which was later incorporated into the kingdom of Bohemia. At only 6 years old, Firkusny studied at the State Conservatory in Brno, and at just 10, he made his debut with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.