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Arts & Culture

A Surprise In Texas: Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

The winners of the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (from left to right): Yeol Eum Son, 23 (Korea), Silver Medal; Nobuyuki Tsujii, 20 (Japan), Gold Medal (tie); Haochen Zhang, 19 (China), Gold Medal (tie).
Courtesy of Van Cliburn Foundation/Altré MEDIA
The winners of the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (from left to right): Yeol Eum Son, 23 (Korea), Silver Medal; Nobuyuki Tsujii, 20 (Japan), Gold Medal (tie); Haochen Zhang, 19 (China), Gold Medal (tie).

Airs Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 10:30 p.m. on KPBS TV

This documentary is a behind-the-scenes experience of the most prestigious piano contest in the world. Twenty-nine of the world’s best young pianists hailing from fourteen countries converged in Fort Worth for a once-in-a-lifetime chance at the coveted gold medal in the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

"Nobu fever" became a term in the world of classical music after 20 year-old Nobuyuki Tsujii from Japan won the competition in June 2009. This film follows Nobu, who is blind from birth, through the three weeks of grueling practice, rehearsal and performance during the competition, and is an inspiration to all people who face disabilities, hurdles or obstacles in life.

Trailer: A Surprise In Texas: Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition