Hanoi, Vietnam

My latest trip was a spectacular introduction to the country of Vietnam. I was so heartily welcomed by the director of the Vietnam Piano Competition and Festival, and the Classical Smackdown was presented in a packed, sold out house. I LOVED the posters - on stage, in the hotel, in the Bösendorfer Studios!

The contest here was decisive - Prokofiev winning by overall votes 58% to 42%, and also winning by total number of rounds. In breakdowns, Prokofiev won in Round 1 and 4, by Age except for 41-60 year olds, and also across both piano players and non-piano players.

Special thanks to the VIP team for translating the comments from Vietnamese!

Favorite Comments:

Debussy is before getting married, Prokofiev is after getting married! (paraphrased from a post on Instagram!)

It's an honor to get to listen to Mr. Frederic showcasing how different Debussy and Prokofiev are. One is a painter who painted with lights, colors and mood. The other is like a machine built with rhythm, steel and drama. Listening to them side by side feels like alternating between an impressionist water color gallery and an intense, high-octave theatrical performance. Debussy and Prokofiev is quite literally Ying and Yang.

All other comments:

A splendid performance. I'm really intrigued, and I'm kinda good at English so I wish there'd be no translation to Vietnamese :)) I know how to convert film soundtracks, like in Spirited Away into piano playing, and I do it extremely well. Wish to meet you again anyway :)

A very meaningful musical night of sharing that helps the audience understand more about classical music

Glad to come here with my sons today. We had a good time

Good job, in the end

I like Prokofiev the best. You are so wonderful, thank you so much!

I really enjoyed experiencing Debussy and Prokofiev through your interpretation. Thank you for giving me a new way to listen to both composers

I really love Prokofiev through artist Frederic Chiu's interpretation; the energy matches so well. Bravo to the artist and the organizing team for giving me such a wonderful experience hehe. I vote for Prokofiev, but I still love Debussy though ><

It was so amazingly good!!

Peaceful and beautiful variety of pieces by Debussy, but Prokofiev has composed lots of cheerful and mind-blowing pieces, so I prefer Debussy to Prokofiev

So tuff

Super?

Vietnamese audience needs better outfit, your outfit looks like Chinese clothes

Grateful to artist Frederic Chiu, Yamaha, and the Hanoi Conservatory of Music

Grateful to musician Frederic Chiu

I'm grateful for pianist Frederic Chiu

It was wonderful! Your performance was breathtaking! Also, I've never seen a pianist start playing that fast without much preparation! You fired off without a hitch!

Mr. Frederic Chiu plays the piano wonderfully

Outstanding performance

Superb performance

Thank you for coming to Vietnam!

Thank you to the artist. Very interesting! It's so hard to decide who to vote for!

Thank you, Frederic Chiu!

Wonderful performance! Thank you!

I like both composers, but lean towards Prokofiev - because his powerful intensity resonates with my own strong inspiration and personality.

I really like Debussy

I really love the way you played Prokofiev!!!

I usually prefer Debussy, but Prokofiev is very interesting to me tonight! Thanks Mr. Chiu and the team for making this happen!!

Prokofiev - hard to interpret well!! But very unique

Debussy - Serene and soothing!! My favourite

Prokofiev is alien

Round 1

Debussy: A bit pale

Prokofiev: A bit raw but energetic

Round 2

Debussy: A bit strong

Prokofiev: Better

Round 3

Debussy: Ok

Prokofiev: OK

Round 4

Debussy: Like a jellyfish

Prokofiev: Powerful

Thanks to the pianist for your wonderful performance. I enjoyed this evening so much! Prokofiev is great but Debussy is greater! Debussy music is beautiful in the most natural way. I feel he just does what he love the way who he is, not because of other outside affection. Thank you all again!

Very good concert! I normally like Debussy but you played Prokofiev so well that I changed my mind! So I voted for Prokofiev! Thank you for a good night!