On October 19, 2024, in the afternoon, the award ceremony of the 7th NTD International Piano Competition was held at the Merkin Concert Hall-Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, New York. Taiwanese contestant Ching-Yi Lin was honored with an outstanding performance award.
Ching-Yi Lin expressed that he still has a lot of room for improvement and he cherishes the opportunity to participate in this competition, where he can showcase his skills alongside pianists from different parts of the world, interpreting classical music, which makes him very happy.
Having studied piano for twenty years, Lin just graduated with a Ph.D. from the prestigious Peabody Conservatory. He admitted that he chose to specialize in piano because “performing gives me a sense of accomplishment.” He said, “Taking on challenging pieces and difficult compositions also makes me spiritually fulfilled.”
During the preparation for the NTD International Piano Competition, Lin faced significant challenges. He explained that compared to other piano competitions, the NTD competition stands out for its strict selection of competition pieces. “The competition pieces are all more classical in nature,” Lin said. “During practice, you have to be faithful to tradition and interpret accurately.”
The competition focuses on classical music, different from the usual repertoire Lin plays, requiring him to practice two sets of pieces simultaneously. He views this challenge as a test of his “practice time management,” pushing him to better manage his time.
One advantage he discovered is that in the competition, many contestants perform the same piece. “Everyone plays the same piece, starting from the same point, I feel this is very fair,” Lin said. “Judges can make assessments more easily, and contestants can learn from each other.”
During the semi-finals competition, Lin’s interpretation of the designated piece “Saint Grace” exceeded his expectations. “The more I play, the more I love it! The longer I practice, the more I appreciate the rich content of ‘Saint Grace’,” he expressed.
“Saint Grace” is the designated piece for this year’s NTD International Piano Competition, a piano composition created by D.F., the artistic director of Shen Yun Performing Arts, and adapted by composer Qin Yuan.
Lin believes that “Saint Grace” possesses a sacred and elegant charm, requiring careful and solemn interpretation while playing. He finds it special that the technical skills of the music have an Eastern flavor, expressed through a Western instrument, allowing him to truly feel the beauty of the fusion of East and West. Lin delves into the artistic conception of the piece, focusing on controlling the strength and speed while playing to better convey the musical charm.
He understands that “charm is a kind of atmosphere; if you have that imagination, what you play will sound different.”
Lost in the world of music, Lin envisions beautiful and extraordinary scenes, comparing it to a feeling of soaring like viewing the Potala Palace’s temples from the air. The melody mirroring the beginning and end of the music leads him to understand that “it’s a bit like the creation of man, coming down to earth and eventually being brought back.”
Lin realizes that “Saint Grace” is a microcosm of life. He believes that everyone’s life experiences are different; some live colorful lives, others more ordinary, but they all have the same starting and ending points. “You are born, you land, and then you are called, no matter where you are headed.”
Lin truly enjoys the friendly atmosphere of the competition, which helps him to be more engaged and natural in interpreting pieces on stage. He approaches his competition results with equanimity, hoping to “cultivate himself further” during the competition.