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16-year-old boy captures prestigious piano competition

30.06.2008 21:01 Arts - Source: cbc.ca

A 16-year-old from China has captured the prestigious Gina Bachauer Young Artists International Piano Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Si Jing Ye, who now resides in New York City, beat out five other finalists for the gold medal on Saturday night with a performance of Tchaikovsky's Concerto in B-flat Minor.

Ye will also get $8,000 US for his first-place finish.

Californian Kenric Tam, 18, of California, was second and Jonathon Flori, 18, of Spain, was third.

A 10-member jury selected the finalists from a field of 29 competitors from 11 countries, with ages ranging 14 to 18.

The competition is named for the late Greek concert pianist Gina Bachauer, who appeared frequently with the Utah Symphony.

Supported by the symphony, competitions are held in cities around to world to identify candidates.

Those chosen are considered the cream of the young virtuoso world. Finalists often end up being offered scholarships to music academies, moving on to classical music careers.

Two Canadians were in the original field of 30 that was pared down to the final six: Naomi Woo and Hao Tian Zhang, both from British Columbia.

With files from the Associated Press

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