NTD International Piano Competition: ‘Triumph of Goodness’

Update: Shih-Yeh Lu from Taiwan has won the Commissioned Composition Award for best performance of the commissioned work “Triumph of Goodness.”

From Baroque to Romantic eras, the sounds of classics came out of Manhattan’s Baruch Performing Arts Center all day Friday, Sept. 27, coupled with the unusual pairing of a Chinese tune performed on piano.

That piece was “Triumph of Goodness,” an arrangement of a vocal piece composed by the world-renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts artistic director D.F.

“There’s something so pure and original, and something from the earth about it,” said contestant Zachary Hughes. “It comes directly from the people.”

NTD-Piano-contestant-Zachary-Hughes
NTD International Piano Competition’s contestant Zachary Hughes performs at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City, on Sept. 26, 2019. (Zhang Xuehui/The Epoch Times)

A unique blend of Chinese melodies with classical piano arrangement techniques.

“It’s not kind of stilted in the way that some conservatory composers can make their music,” Hughes added.

For the contestants, this blend of East and West and emphasis on the tradition created a creative challenge they’ve not encountered elsewhere.

“It is a mix of Chinese melodies, but somehow transformed in traditional European music,” said Olena Miso.

Olena Miso
Olena Miso performs at the preliminary of NTD’s 5th International Piano Competition in New York City on Sept. 26, 2019. (NTD)

Started in 2008, this year, the 5th NTD International Piano Competition has attracted 86 contestants from 28 countries to sign up. Only 15 pianists made it to the semi-finals which took place on Friday. Six out of the 15 made it to the finals which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 28.

This competition is part of NTD Television’s series of international cultural and arts events aimed at promoting traditional arts, including the 250 years of classical piano literature focused exclusively on the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods.

“it’s a beautiful culture that we don’t want to lose,” said Stephanie Simone Pestana.

For Hughes, it is incredibly important to stay in touch with traditional music, “because that’s how we see where we got to, where we are now.”

As the classics gradually disappear from everyday use, “many people just don’t know classical music very well, so it’s important to try to get them back because it’s good for the health and culture of our people,” said Nicolas Giacomelli.

Nicolas Giacomelli
Nicolas Giacomelli performs at the preliminary of NTD’s 5th International Piano Competition in New York City on Sept. 26, 2017. (NTD)

The final and award ceremony will be held on Sept 28 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center and it will also be broadcast on NTD’s website and facebook.

Tickets on sale. Call 1-518-635-7788

Live Coverage (ET)

Saturday, Sept. 28

1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

How to Tune In

(1) NTD and Epoch Times websites

(2) NTD and Epoch Times Facebook pages

(3) NTD Youtube

Epoch Times reporter Catherine Yang contributed to this report.

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