Malaysia celebrates a moment of pride as Vincent Ong, a 24-year-old pianist from Penang, became the first Malaysian to reach the final of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, a world-renowned piano competition held every five years in Warraw, Poland.
Image credit: Kawai Piano Malaysia (Facebook)
Established in 1927, the International Chopin Piano Competition stands for one of the most revered platforms for classical musicians, and out of 642 applicants, only 162 contestants from 28 countries were selected for elimination rounds.
A remarkable achievement in global musical scene
Amongst the 84 pianists who advanced to the main competition, 66 were through selection while the remaining 19 were invited as they were winners of other major piano competitions globally.
As the competition intensified, only 40 participants progressed to the second stage, which includes participants from:
- China
- Japan
- Poland
- Korea
- United States
- Italy
- Canada
- Germany
- Taiwan
- Georgia
- France
- United Kingdom
- Malaysia
During the third stage, the number narrowed down to 20, with Vincent Ong among them, marking a proud achievement for Malaysia in a field dominated by global classical powerhouses.
Image credit: Chopin Institute (YouTube)
Representing Malaysia on the world stage
As the competition committee announced the final 11 pianists, who will perform in the ultimate round, representatives from China, Japan, the United States, Canada, Poland, Georgia, and Malaysia were announced.
His achievement not only highlights his exceptional talent and dedication, but also brings recognition to Malaysia’s growing presence in the international classical music arena. Congratulations are also extended to all their mentors and teachers for their role in this milestone success.
Image credit: Chopin Institute (YouTube)
Watch Vincent Ong’s performance video here.
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