WBAI-FM Upcoming Program
Morning Irsay

Sun, Apr 18, 2021 8:00 AM

STORY OF A PRODIGY

Francesca "Kiki" Bernasconi, born in Naples, Italy (not Florida) began her piano performing career in 1952, age nine, and went on playing to rave reviews with conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Fritz Reiner, John Barbirolli, and more. I found her by chance on YouTube and aired her Saint-Saëns g minor concerto, recorded at age 15.

I later learned that Kiki had given up her performing career while she was still in her teens. Only recently has she gone back to the piano and is now playing again. It seemed as though she might have a story to tell, so I invited her to be a guest on Morning Irsay. Kiki Bernasconi will join us Sunday the 18th. We'll air a childhood concerto performance, and selections from her recent cds. And of course we'll talk about her life - the life of a prodigy.

headline photo
Kiki with Fritz Reiner

 

 


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