Laureates – the 10th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition

His childhood took place at the same time as the Vietnam War. At the time he was evacuated together with his family to the mountains. ‘My first contact with music occurred with my mother when I was 7 years old. Listening to all those nocturnes and mazureks in the evening mountain silence was an amazing experience’ – Dang Thai Son, the outstanding pianist recollects.

Another stage in his career was the notation of Chopin's music and recordings, which he brought all the way from Poland and studying at the Moscow Conservatory.

Getting the first prize and three special prizes at the 10th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition by such a young Vietnamese in 1980 was a surprise for the audience and became a scandal. Never before had this pianist taken part in any competition nor performed in public with an orchestra. While he was entering the stage to give his final performance, the audience was chanting the name of Croatian musician Ivo Pogorelić. Martha Argerich didn't hide her fascination with the talented Asian.

After the win in Warsaw, Dang Thai Son began an amazing international career. He performed on stages in Europe, Asia and America with outstanding orchestras and musicians. By 2015 he had been a jury member of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition three times.