Yu Zhang Wu from Pinehurst School in Auckland, New Zealand, and Wang Yinqi of China each defeated a rival to share first prize in the Piano Group A (ages 12 and under) final of the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians on Sept 17.

Yu Zhang Wu was also awarded Young Jury Prize. Meanwhile, Yang Kai-Lang from Taiwan took home third prize.

Later at the Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theater in Shizimen, violinist Jinan Woo from the Republic of Korea, who was also granted Young Jury Prize, earned gold medal in the Violin Group A (ages 12 and under) final round. Second and third prizes went to Chinese Zhong Shaoheng, who came from Dongguan of Guangdong Province, and Zhang Aozhe from Shanghai.

First-prize winner Yu Zhang Wu from New Zealand

Piano Group B and Violin Group B finals will take place at 7 tonight (Sept 18) and tomorrow respectively. Next up will be finals in Piano Group C and Violin Group C at 7 pm on Sept 20 and 21. A closing concert will be held on Sept 22.

Jinan Woo from the Republic of Korea [Photos courtesy WeChat account: zhmozart]

Pavel Gililov, chairman of the piano experts commission, noted that the level of the players is increasing. Not only have they showed great performance skills, but they also have a good understanding of the composer and the artistic style of the work, he said.

Pavel Gililov interviewed

Paul Roczek, director of the violin category, hailed the participants as true music talents and the best in four years. He predicted that the experience on the music stage would greatly help and impact their future careers.

Beyond the venue, gratis activities will bring classical music to the public. World-renowned violist Qian Zhou is giving lessons at Yung Wing Academy today; Wei Danwen, piano doctoral supervisor of the Central Conservatory of Music, will share her vision on the Classism of Piano at Zhuhai College of Jilin University on Sept 19; and Tong Weidong, violin doctoral supervisor of the Central Conservatory of Music will talk in person about how to learn violin at the Xiangzhou Culture Center on Sept 20.

A world-level classic music gathering, the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians has attracted thousands of youths from a dozen countries and regions, reaching 400 million people across the globe over three editions. 

Elli Yukyung Choi from the US [Photos by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]