Korean Pianist Mun Ji Yeong Becomes The First Asian To Win The Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition In Italy
Mun Ji Yeong, a 19-year-old student at the Korea National University of Arts (K-ARTS), has won the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition award in Italy last Friday. The competition, which has been going on for 60 years, has not awarded a first prize winner for so long because the judges do not grant the first prize award if they do not deem the pianists worthy enough.
Suh Hai Kyung has received the second prize at the competition in 1980 and Lee Yoon Soo in 1997.
Korea JoongAng Daily reported on Tuesday that Mun played Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor by Chopin for the final round of the prestigious competition and was given a high score by the judges, according to a statement by K-ARTS.
Mun Ji Yeong grew up learning the piano at the age of 6, using the pianos in their community's church and school as her family was not privileged enough to afford their own.
In the last three years, Mun has won top prizes from international competitions, including the Geneva International Music Competition, the Takamatsu International Piano Competition and 2012's Ettlingen International Piano Competition.
On Oct. 28, Mun is set to perform for an audience during the "Noon Concert" at K-ARTS' Daehangno campus in Seoul as part of the school's Culture Day program.
Korea Times noted on Monday that the Italian competition for young pianists Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition is a biannual event established in 1949 to commemorate the 25th death anniversary of famous pianist and composer, Ferruccio Busoni.
The competition has produced world renowned pianists, including Martha Argerich and Alfred Brendel.
