Melbourne composer and concert pianist Stefan Cassomenos has come second in the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition & Festival in Brisbane, taking home $10,000 worth of prize money.
The talented 28-year-old was modest about his win, saying being recognised for his love of music was good enough.
“I have always loved music, and chose to be a pianist because I felt it was something with which I had a great deal of affinity,” he said.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have won second place overall.”
The pianist made an impact on the judges, taking out the Best Performance of a Russian Work and a Classical Sonata and Best Recital in Round Two.
Stefan was part of the Top 20 young concert pianists chosen from almost 70 contenders who auditioned in capital cities of Australia and New Zealand in June 2013.
The competition happens every two years and offers emerging concert pianists the experience of performing at an international level.
Now, with a strong win under his belt, Stefan will start preparing for his next competition.
Selected as one of 28 pianists in the International Telekom Beethoven Competition in Bonn, Germany, and the only Australian, Stefan will be travelling to Europe in December to try his luck internationally.
Last year, Stefan was a grand finalist in the Rhodes International Piano Competition and received the Young Achievement Award in 2012 from the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Stefan will be performing in Melbourne on 22 September for the Cultural Section of EEAMA, alongside Michelle Wood and Monica Curro on cello and violin. The concert will be at 3.00pm at 1c Bell Street, Preston and tickets are $20. Contact Nick Chalas on 9563 8089 or 0409 174 933 to book.
* Neos Kosmos will feature an interview with Stefan on September 14.