Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu from Canada took first place in the 18th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, the director of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, Artur Szklener, announced on the night from Wednesday to Thursday.
A few minutes after 2 am, the jurors descended the Philharmonic stairs to announce their verdict to the gathered journalists. The competition director, Artur Szklener, said that the deliberation was extremely long because it was not easy to make a decision.
The first prize winner – Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu from Canada – said after the verdict was announced: “I don’t know what to say. So much emotion … I’m honoured with this award. Thank you to the jury and my family.”
“Competitions help musicians grow. Some say competitions are not good for musicians, but they inspire me. If you have a passion for something, just do it. Don’t look at what they say or 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 keep going and not give up,” said the laureate after playing the final concert.
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. He has collaborated with such ensembles as the Cleveland and Montreal symphony orchestras, the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Americas, Camerata Jerusalem, and has given a series of concerts with the China NCPA Orchestra.