Japan's Mao Fujita ranks 2nd in Tchaikovsky piano competition
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/06/66729b260173-japans-fujita-ranks-2nd-in-tchaikovsky-piano-competition.html
Moscow Mao Fujita of Japan earned a share of second place in the piano category of the 16th International Tchaikovsky Competition on Thursday, tying with Russia's Dmitriy Shishkin while top honors went to Alexandre Kantorow of France.
Fujita, a 20-year-old Tokyo native who has performed at home and abroad, was among seven pianists to reach the finals of the quadrennial event, which began on June 17 and was held in Saint Petersburg and Moscow.
Having started piano lessons at age 3, Fujita claimed top prizes beginning in 2010 in the junior divisions of competitions in Japan as well as in Taiwan and Austria. He drew international attention by winning Switzerland's prestigious Clara Haskil Competition at age 18 in 2017.
The International Tchaikovsky Competition, named after 19th-century Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, was launched in 1958 with the categories of piano and violin. It has since expanded to include competitions in other categories such as cello, woodwinds and voice.
Mao Fujita Piano
https://www.japanarts.co.jp/artist/MaoFUJITA?lang=2
Born in Tokyo in 1998, Mao Fujita, a mere 20 years old pianist, fascinated the Moscow audience by winning the second prize at the 16th Tchaikovsky International Competition. on June 27, 2019. He was welcomed by standing ovation during the rounds and immediately became the focus of international attention.
In 2017, while still a freshman at the Tokyo College of Music, Mao won the 27th Concours International De Piano Clara Haskil in Switzerland, also winning three special awards the “Audience Award,” the “Prix Modern Times,” and the “Prix Coup de Coeur.”
His recent highlight performances include Andre Jolivet Piano Concerto with Mo. Kazuyoshi Akiyama & Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in 2019, Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 with Mo.Kachun Wong & Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra in 2019, and Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 with Mo. Oleg Caetani & Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra in 2018.
Mao Fujita (2nd round)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1JyBC94JFk
Mao Fujita (Final Round)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8yXIRStS5g