The petite girl from Nghe An wins first prize in the national piano competition.

(Baonghean.vn) - Overcoming many strong competitors from provinces and cities across the country, the petite girl Nguyen Thanh Xuan from Nghe An province excellently won first prize at the CEG Music Festival 2017 piano competition despite never having received any professional training.

Video of Thanh Xuan playing the piano:

In a small room on Bui Huy Bich Street in Vinh City, the melodious sounds of the piano echoed throughout the space. The notes seemed to express the boundless joy and pride of the Nguyen Dinh Hung family (1981) as their daughter, Nguyen Thanh Xuan (2011), won first prize at the CEG Music Festival 2017 piano competition held at the Vietnam National Academy of Music on August 6th.

With her talent, Thanh Xuan completely convinced the judges with her two classical piano pieces, "Minuet in F K2" by Mozart and "Arabesque-opus 100. No. 2" by Burgmuller. Thanh Xuan became one of the four contestants to win first prize in the four competition categories.

Thanh Xuan and her father practice piano at home. Photo: Chu Thanh

Mr. Hung said that he mainly let his daughter participate in the competition to give her an opportunity to gain experience, and also because he was following the encouragement of musician Nguyen Cuong to take her to the competition earlier. He himself didn't place much importance on the prize because Thanh Xuan was one of the youngest contestants participating in the competition. Furthermore, this was a large-scale competition, while his daughter had never received any professional training, only learning at home with him.

Nguyen Thanh Xuan (Nghe An province) participating in the 2017 Nghe An Open Piano Festival. Photo: Chu Thanh

Speaking about his young daughter, Mr. Hung said that although she hasn't received any professional training, she has been exposed to music from an early age. As a graduate of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, he understands even better the benefits that music brings.

While pregnant with Thanh Xuan, Mr. and Mrs. Hung frequently played piano music. Perhaps this is one of the factors that helped Thanh Xuan develop a quick and sensitive appreciation for music. Thanh Xuan has only been learning piano for a year and a half. Every day, she practices for at least 45 minutes. Despite only learning for a short time, she learns very quickly. Some pieces that others take a month to master, Thanh Xuan can learn in just one day. She has also won many awards in various piano competitions at different levels.

Speaking about the process of teaching his daughter piano, Mr. Hung confided: "Thanh Xuan learns piano partly because she likes it and has a talent for it, and partly to fulfill my unfinished dream." Despite not being born with a healthy body like his peers, Mr. Hung's passion for music remains strong.

Recalling his journey in pursuing his passion, Hung said that his family was poor and he couldn't afford to prepare for the entrance exam to the music academy. He did all kinds of jobs to earn money for his studies. Through his efforts, he succeeded in enrolling in the Vietnam National Academy of Music. However, his physical disabilities prevented him from further developing his musical career. In 2014, Hung returned to Nghe An to open a music class.

Little Thanh Xuan (in the pink dress) receives first prize in the CEG Music Festival 2017 piano competition. Photo: Provided by the artist.

“For me, Thanh Xuan is my motivation to live, my joy, my support. Although still young, Thanh Xuan is very well-behaved, self-disciplined, and mature for her age, partly because her parents are no longer together,” Mr. Hung confided. Because of this, Mr. Hung cares for and loves Thanh Xuan even more. Even though he can't walk normally, he always closely follows his daughter's every step of the way.

Thanh Xuan's performance of two pieces earned her the First Prize in the CEG Music Festival 2017 piano competition:

After winning the national piano competition, Mr. Hung plans to go to Hanoi to find a piano expert for his child to study with. Of course, he will always be there to practice with his child and guide him.

“Not only do I enroll my child in piano lessons, but I also have her take other subjects like Vietnamese, English, and Math… to prepare her for first grade. Her teachers in those subjects all praise her intelligence and quick learning ability. So, even though I want her to pursue a career as a professional pianist, I will respect her interests later on,” Mr. Hung said with a smile.

Chu Thanh