Oxford graduate Chisato Kusunoki returned to her alma mater on Sunday night to thrill members of the Balliol College Musical Society with a piano recital that was brimming with virtuosity, passion and drama. Since graduating from University College with the Gibbs Prize, Kusunoki has emerged as one of the most talented pianists of her generation, achieving a distinction in her post-graduate performance diploma at the Royal Academy of Music, making highly acclaimed debuts at the Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall in 2007, and performing at other prestigious venues in the UK and overseas. Along the way, she has amassed an impressive tally of prizes and awards.

After Sunday’s performance at Balliol, it’s easy to see why this young pianist has had critics reaching for every superlative in the dictionary. Kusunoki doesn’t merely play music; she becomes enveloped by it, demonstrating a remarkable affinity with the composers whose works she tackles, and throwing her entire body and soul into the performance. Her repertoire on Sunday ranged from J. S. Bach (Partita No.1 in B flat major) and Chopin (Sonata No.3) to the lesser-known Balakirev (Sonata) and Moszkowski (Caprice Espagnol), all allowing her to explore and exhibit every aspect of her extraordinary technique.

In the quieter moments, such as in Bach’s Prelude, there was lyrical tenderness, her fingers softly and smoothly caressing the keys. In Chopin’s gloriously expansive Largo, there was a sense of grandeur and boldness as she resolutely drove the piece forwards. But, arguably, it is in the more energetic moments that Kusunoki is at her best, such as in the Allegro, Scherzo and Presto movements in Chopin’s Sonata, or Balakirev’s spirited Mazurka; all were brought to life with exceptional intensity and vitality, holding the audience spellbound with an irresistible and infectious exuberance. Chisato Kusunoki is a name we’ll be hearing a lot more of in the future; of that I have no doubt.

For more information about Chisato, visit www.chisatokusunoki.com