The Royal Northern College of Music’s (RNCM) Music of Chopin Competition is a highly prestigious affair. It therefore gives us great pleasure to announce our very own Nurry Lee as the winner.
Live music events are a rarity at the moment, due to the ongoing pandemic. But the RNCM overcame the limits of lockdown to ensure its competition could take place.
Contestants were asked to submit via video a 20-minute free choice of Chopin compositions. Nurry chose Mazurka in C sharp minor Op.50 No.3, Etude in A flat major Op.25 No.1, and Polonaise in F sharp minor Op.44.
The video had to demonstrate continuous playing, with the players’ hands, expressions and actions clearly visible at all times.
After several weeks of practicing at home, Nurry submitted the recording of her performance on a Yamaha C3 grand piano, expertly mic’d up to capture the nuanced recital.
The adjudicator, internationally-renowned pianist and winner of the ‘90 competition, Kenneth Kenner, said he was, ‘greatly impressed by [Nurry’s] performance.’ Though given her credentials, we can’t say we’re all that surprised!
Nurry won a concerto competition with the Shostakovich Piano Concerto while still at Wells Cathedral School. And she is a winner of, to name but a few, the Gregynog Young Musician of the Year, the European Piano Teachers Association competition, the Eisteddfod competition and the Midsummer Festival.
Nurry has been invited to play many venues as a soloist, including Bath Abbey and Bristol Beacon. She has also collaborated with many orchestras, choirs and bands, and is a member of the trio, Trio Rouge.
Nurry has travelled the globe with her art, from Asia to Africa and back again. We’re delighted to be working with this incredibly talented artist, who showcases our beautiful pianos.
