Third-year student, Kwon Cheo Yong
Second-year student, Azariah Tan
Two National Arts Council-Conservatory scholars, both students of Albert Tiu, won prizes at the 3rd ASEAN International Chopin Piano Competition and the 10th International Chopin Piano Competition in Asia.
At the 3rd ASEAN International Chopin Piano Competition held in Kuala Lumpur from 17 to 22 November 2008, Singaporean Azariah Tan Peng Chay was awarded the Silver Award (2nd prize) in the Senior School category. Drawing a total of 130 entrants representing 11 countries from the ASEAN region, the competition also showcased young and gifted pianists from countries like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Japan, China, Korea and the United States.
At Tokyo’s 10th International Chopin Piano Competition in Asia held from 10 to 14 January 2009, South Korean Kwon Cheo Yong won the Bronze Prize in the Concerto C category performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, Op.11 with the Polish Chamber Ensemble “Prima Vista Quartet”. Special mention was given to him for finishing third position in the General category, and to Azariah for coming in fourth position in the Concerto B and Senior High categories. This competition attracted about 2600 participants from 6 Asia countries – Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. Members of the jury included eminent pianists and pedagogues such as Andrzej Jasinski (Poland), Piotr Paleczny (Poland), Kevin Kenner (USA), Dan Zhao Yi (China), Chang Hae-Won (Korea), Ichiro Kato (Japan), Francesco Monopoli (Italy) and Benjamin Loh (Singapore).
Each of these Chopin competitions has the worthy objective of discovering and promoting talented and outstanding young pianists in the region to vie with other winners of international competitions for prestigious awards. The organisers hope that the grace and splendor of Chopin’s music will help to cultivate understanding and appreciation of music and to advance the level of performance in Asia. It is further hoped that these competitions will become a bridge of cultural exchange between Asia and Poland.