Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu, a pianist from Canada, won the 18th International Piano Competition. Frederic Chopin. The director of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, Artur Szklener, announced the jury’s decision on Wednesday night. In total, eight musicians were awarded, including the Pole Jakub Kuszlik (fifth place).
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The deliberations of the jurors lasted exceptionally long. Originally, the announcement of the results was scheduled for 23.30. But the verdict was not announced until 2 o’clock.
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– I really don’t know what to say. It is a great feeling to stand here. It was a great adventure to play with these wonderful people of Chopin on the stage of the National Philharmonic in Warsaw. It was a great experience. My family and friends are definitely happy. I really don’t have words, it’s a great experience and joy – said Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu a moment after the jury’s verdict was announced.
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– If you have a passion for something, just do it. Don’t look at others for what they say and think. Follow what you think is good for yourself. On your way you will always encounter failures, problems and negative people, at such moments you have to go further and not give up – added the laureate.
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Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu – who is the winner of the Chopin Competition 2021
As we read on the NIFC website, Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu was born on May 8, 1997 in Paris, graduated from the Montreal Conservatory of Music in the class of Richard Raymond, and currently continues his studies with Dang Thai Son.
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He has collaborated with such ensembles as the Cleveland and Montreal symphony orchestras, the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Americas, and Camerata Jerusalem. He gave a series of concerts with the China NCPA Orchestra. Recently, he has also made two tours in China with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and the Symphony Orchestra of the Lviv Regional Philharmonic, performing, among others, at the Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts and Concert Hall and the Oriental Arts Center in Shanghai, as well as the Orchester Lamoureux in Salle Gaveau. He is a laureate of many international piano competitions, incl. in Sendai, Montreal, Viseu and Tel Aviv.
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Laureate of the 18th Chopin Competition, Canadian pianist Bruce (Xiaoyu) LiuWojciech Olkuśnik, PAP
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List of laureates of the 18th International Piano Competition Frederic Chopin
The jury chaired by prof. Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń was distinguished by eight pianists. The second place in the competition was taken ex aequo by Alexander Gadjiev, representing Italy and Slovenia, and Kyohei Sorita from Japan. The winner of the third place is Martin Garcia Garcia from Spain, the fourth prize was awarded ex aequo to the Japanese Aimi Kobayashi and the Pole Jakub Kuszlik. The fifth place was taken by Leonora Armellini from Italy, and the sixth place was taken by JJ Jun Li Bui from Canada.
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1st prize – Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu (Canada) 2nd prize ex aequo – Alexander Gadjiev (Italy / Slovenia) 2nd prize ex aequo – Kyohei Sorita (Japan) 3rd prize – Martin Garcia Garcia (Spain) 4th prize ex aequo – Aimi Kobayashi ( Japan) 4th prize ex aequo – Jakub Kuszlik (Poland) 5th prize – Leonora Armellini (Italy) 6th prize – JJ Jun Li Bui (Canada)
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Moreover, Alexander Gadjiev was awarded for the best performance of the sonata, the award was funded by Krystian Zimerman. The Polish Radio Award for the best performance of mazurkas was awarded to Jakub Kuszlik, and the winner of the award funded by the National Philharmonic for the best performance of the concert was Martin Garcia Garcia.
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The Chopin Competition – one of the most important in the world
The final auditions lasted from Monday to Wednesday. Each participant played one of Fryderyk Chopin’s concertos: in E minor, Op. 11 or in F minor, Op. 21. In the first stage 87 pianists and pianists competed, including 16 people representing Poland. 45 people advanced to the second stage, 23 people competed in the third stage.
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The International Piano Competition The Fryderyk Chopin event was held for the eighteenth time. The first edition of the event took place in 1927. Since then, it has been held regularly every five years. The rhythm has only been disrupted twice: World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic. It is one of the most prestigious music competitions in the world.
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Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu during the third stage of the competitionLeszek Szymański / PAP
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photo-source">Main photo source: Wojciech Olkuśnik, PAP
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