This information was announced by pianist Luu Duc Anh, a 26-year-old lecturer at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, who was the youngest judge at the competition, on September 23.
The Putra International Piano Competition 2019 was held with two rounds. The qualifying round featured the participation of 250 contestants while the final round witnessed the competition of 135 excellent candidates from 10 countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Japan, Australia, Armenia and the Republic of Korea (RoK).
Judges of the contest were famous artists, lecturers of countries of England, Armenia, Malaysia, the RoK and Vietnam. In particular, the jury chairman was Professor Armen Babakhanian (Armenia) - who has won high prizes at the world's leading piano competitions, such as Van Cliburn, Leeds and Gina Bachauer.
Vietnamese young talents competed in both solo and concerto categories, winning many awards. Specifically, contestant Vo Minh Quang won the second prize in the solo category for under 30s and the first prize in the under 30s concerto category; Dam Vu Nhat Minh won the second prize in the category of concerto for under 10s; Bui Minh Anh won the third prize of the category of concerto for under 18s; Pham Mai Khue won the consolation prize in the solo category for under 15s; and Nguyen Hai Anh won the consolation prize in the solo category for under 18s.
Notably, judge Luu Duc Anh was invited to perform in solo at the competition’s opening ceremony.
