(VOVworld)- Amateur Nguyen Duc Kien beat 13 other contestants in the 7-9 year-old category at the Thailand 6th Mozart International Piano Competition to win first prize.

Pianist Nguyen Duc Kien (Photo: baomoi.com)

Kien, eight years old from Hanoi, is the smallest contestant in the group. He skilfully played the complete Sonata KV545 by Mozart at the final round to convince the jury panel. His performances received many compliments from the jury, such as bringing a musical breath of fresh air, as well as satisfying the high requirements of difficult piano techniques. Kien has been studying piano for several years at the Hoang Cung Art Centre while he waits to be old enough to enter the Vietnam National Academy of Music (VNAM). He has won first prizes at festivals held by VNAM in 2015-16.  The Thailand 6th Mozart International Piano Competition 2016 was organised in Bangkok from July 23 to 27. It was divided into four-age group categories from 7 to 24 years of age. The competition drew contestants from many countries including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and Japan.