Pianist Nguyễn Đức Kiên triumphed at the 6th Fujairah International Piano Competition in the United Arab Emirates. Photo courtesy of Nguyễn Đức Kiên

HÀ NỘI - Nguyễn Đức Kiên has won first prize at the 6th Fujairah International Piano Competition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Kiên, from the Việt Nam National Academy of Music (VNAM), was honoured in a group of musicians aged 14 to 17, beating 24 other contestants from more than 10 different countries, including strong contenders from Russia, China, France, America, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Armenia. At the two rounds in Fujairah, Kiên performed works by Carl Czerny, Beethoven and Chopin.

The 17 year-old pianist, who does not come from a musical family, studies with Associate Professor, PhD in art Nguyễn Huy Phương.

"Kiên's prize inspires young pianists in Việt Nam," Phương said. "I'm very proud of him. This prize contributes to affirming Việt Nam's position on the classical music map in the world.

"It also proves advanced music training in Việt Nam and Vietnamese talents can be on a par with international talents."

He has already shown his gifts, previously winning international awards, including the 1st prize at the ASEAN Piano Contest 2019 in China and the 1st prize at the International Chopin Contest in Thailand.

In 2023, Kiên was also honoured at the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition for Young People held in Russia. At the competition, he and other finalists had a chance to play with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.

In UAE, another Vietnamese, Nguyễn Minh Việt from Hà Nội Arts College, took the third prize in group B for 11 to 13-year-olds, while VNAM's student Võ Giáp Phong was given a certificate in group A for performers aged 8 to 10.

The Fujairah International Piano Competition is organised by the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy and sponsored by the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Hamad Al-Sharqi.

The event has been held since 2019 with the participation of professionals from all ages and from all over the world. The competition has become one of the leading musical events on a global scale, contributing to cultural and artistic exchange between nations, according to the director of the Fujairah Academy of Fine Arts, Ali Abid al-Hafiti.

The competition's regional round was held in ten countries, including Russia, France, Italy, Germany, England and Japan. The final round was held at the end of last month across four age groups. — VNS