Quang makes the finals if Lev Vlassenko 2011

So I've been a bit slack on blog entries but I have wn excuse, I've been in Europe and currently London checking out this amazing city for the first time as an adult!
Anyways, more about that later. Te more pressing news is that Quang Hong Luu, my dear friend has made it into the finals of the Lev avlassenko Piano Competition!
I am so proud to have seen him grow as a Pianist for the past few years as he undertook studies in Australia at the international Cinservatorium of Music, Sydney.
I was able to grab a few moments with him to ask him how he was preparing:
1. How did you feel your first round went? I was quite nervous in round 1A especially in the Bach, but only about half a minute or so then i start to enjoy music much more, round 1B i started to get used to the piano and the stage.
2. What pieces consisted in your semi round? My semi round was Beethoven Sonata op.2-3, Vine 5 Bagatelles, Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody no.12.
3. How have the other competitors been? I haven't talked to all the competitors yet but in general they are quite open and friendly.
4. How has the orchestral rehearsal gone? I had my first rehearsal today, everything seems all right except for some areas in the second movement, i was quite excited to play so tempo was a bit rushed need to adjust tomorrow.
5. What are you doing to prepare for finals round? Of course practise would be the main thing haha! But i'm just taking things very gentle and steady cause this concerto in particular is very famous for breaking pianists arms! haha, i need to make sure my peak is on this Sarturday, not today or tomorrow.
6. What did you expect before coming to the competition? Seriously i did not expect to be able to play in the concerto round, i just thought it would be nice to take part in and make some good music, plus i was looking forward to many other things other than just competing , like playing on good pianos, meeting new friends, catch up with old friends, masterclass, concerts, sight seeing,...... many good things!
7. How do your parents feel? What was their reaction when you told them you got to the finals? My parents feel very happy of course, i have no idea what their reactions were because they were waiting with me in the hall for the result so when i went on stage i can't really see their face but i guess it should be very amazed and surprised like i was!
8. Will they be flying across or following online? They are here now so i think they are gonna watch live performance!

Wishing Quang all the best in this final round, streamed live on www.lev-Vlassenko.com at 6.30pm Saturday 27th august 2011.
Quang, another Vietnamese of this generation making us proud!!

Over and out from london town :)
Love and grace,
Van-Anh x