Wellington pianist Otis Prescott-Mason has taken away first prize in the 2020 New Zealand Junior Piano Competition. Adjudicator Richard Mapp was particularly drawn to the consistency of communication Otis displayed in his playing in the final, with every note and through every piece.
Second prize went to Catherine Chang, and Shuan Liu was awarded third prize.
Finalists in the NZ Junior Piano Competition 2020. (Left to right): Catherine Chang, Shan Liu, Shuan Liu, Otis Prestcott-Mason, William Berry, Sunny Le, Henry Meng Photo: Kelley Eady
The competition, which is run by the Lewis Eady Charitable Trust, was held over the weekend at the Lewis Eady Showroom in Auckland. It's open to pre-tertiary pianists, and past winners include Delvan Lin and Tony YanTong Chen.
Richard Mapp said the standard of playing this year was "really phenomenal". While 'junior' is the age requirement, he says, in terms of sophistication and polish in their playing the young pianists were really performing at a very high level.
"The consistency at the top level in such a young age group is really amazing, and exhilarating and inspiring to hear."
Tim Dodd spoke with Richard Mapp about this year's finals performances, which included 10-year-old Shan Liu who'd only been learning the piano for three years. He also spoke with competition winner Otis Prescott-Mason.
NZ Junior Piano Competition 2020 results
1st Prize $2,000, plus performance opportunities supported by Lewis Eady and Bach Musica NZ - Otis Prescott-Mason
2nd Prize $1,000 - Catherine Chang
3rd Prize $500 - Shuan Liu
Other Finalists $200 - Sunny Le, Henry Meng, William Berry, Shan Liu
Best Performance of a Classical Sonata $500 (Donated by Auckland Branch IRMTNZ) - Catherine Chang
Best Performance of a New Zealand Composition $250 (Donated by SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music) -
Shuan Liu
Special Prize for a Non-Finalist $150 (Donated by previous winners, Delvan Lin and Tony YanTong Chen) -
Madeleine Xiao
