Zhuhai child earns medal in Mozart competition

The first local medalist at the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians took third place in the Group A final round for pianists on Sept 19.

Bao Yanyan, 10, was the youngest of six finalists under age 12. Although not educated at professional institutions, she demonstrated deep knowledge of classical music through delicate emotional expressions and mature control of rhythms.

Russian Pyotr Akulov took home first prize. His sophisticated performance skills in presenting the second and third movements of Mozart: Piano Concerto # 13 KV 415 in C Major won him high praise. Chinese Li Zhexiang placed second. The Best Etude Prize went to Lao Ruisi, another hopeful from China.

The top three violinists were Wang Shihan from China -- who also won the Best Capriccio Prize -- Clara Shen from Germany, and Singaporean Chloe Chua.

Following the two rounds of piano and violin performances, the most competitive young musical geniuses from across the globe vied for top prizes at the Mozart Hall of Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theatre. The venue in Shizimen was called China's most beautiful concert hall by Zubin Mehta, a world-famous conductor from India.

Pyotr Akulov from Russia, winning pianist in Group A

Providing an enchanting accompaniment to the performances was the Salzburg Chamber Soloists led by renowned violinist and conductor Lavard Skou-Larsen.

Chinese pianist Yu Yichen won the Group B final round on Sept 20, with Hong Kong resident Yu Jinlin and Chinese piano player Chen Yanjun following up. Group B is for musicians aged 13 to 16. Group C's final, for those aged between 17 and 23, is to begin on Sept 22.

Results can be checked via the official website: zhmozart.org/en/home.asp and WeChat account (ID: zhmozart).

Initiated in 2015 and held biennially, the international non-profit competition is the first of its kind in the world designed for youngsters with music potential. It runs through Sept 24.

Bao Yanyan, master of the keys [Photos by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]