Anh wins silver in no-gold contest
Vietnamese piano student Nguyen Duc Anh, studying in Germany, has taken the silver medal at the Alkan-Zimmerman International Piano Competition in Greece, which took place between May 6-9.
The 23-year-old pianist placed equal with Italy's Alessandro Marino, while the bronze medal went to Melina Karagianni from Greece. A first prize was not awarded.
The coveted piano competition is dedicated to Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-88) and Pierre-Joseph-Guillaume Zimmerman (1785-1853), as well as other legendary piano composers of the 19th century, many of whom are considered forgotten today.
Constantine Carambelas-Sgourdas, president of the Alkan - Zimmerman International Music Association, said the competition is an homage to the extraordinary composers.
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"Through the competition, we want to express the great admiration, love and respect Alkan and Zimmerman and promote their music," she said.
Anh was the first pianist to introduce Alkan's music to Vietnamese audiences, when he performed in Hanoi earlier this year.
Anh said he entered the contest to bring greater attention to Alkan's work.
Anh said he was determined to enter the final round, where he had a chance to play Grand Sonate Op 33, one of Alkan's more difficult pieces.
"I dream to perform it in front of people, to let them know what I discovered and I expect that they would enjoy my work," Anh said.
Anh is in his final year at the Freiburg University of Music in Germany.