Hiroko Nakamura, born on July 25, 1944 in Yamanashi, Japan, was a classical pianist who began studying at age three under Aiko Iguchi and later under Rosina Lhévinne at Juilliard. Her breakthrough came in 1965 when she secured fourth prize at the 7th International Chopin Piano Competition, becoming the youngest winner that year. Nakamura’s recording career spanned several decades, releasing notable albums such as Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra in E Minor (1984), Piano Quintet, Op. 81; String Quartet, Op. 96 American (1989), Chopin Favorite (1991), and Piano Sonatas, Etc. (2016). She frequently collaborated with string quartets and other soloists. Nakamura served as a juror for major international competitions, received the 2005 ExxonMobil Music Award, and published nonfiction works on piano competitions. Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2014, she performed briefly in 2016 before passing away on July 26, 2016.
