Thursday September 6 marks the last series of recitals for ROUND TWO. The seven pianists performing this afternoon and evening will be:

Watch a story by ABC News Breakfast.

Enjoy the following clips of our 14 fabulous finalists, recorded at their Round One Recital performances held at the Eastbank Centre, Shepparton on 3 September, 2018.

First Round - Vatche Jambazian performed music written for him by Australian composer, Andrew Howes. Howes was in the audience to see his amazing contemporary/classical "Moments Musicaux" premiere

It is now time for the next round of recitals to occur for the fourteen pianists. All of them will take their turn during Wednesday afternoon & Evening and the same for Thursday the remaining pianists will take to the stage at Eastbank

All fourteen finalists arrived safe and sound in Shepparton - ready to meet each other, meet the judges and the organisers and the media. The 2018 Australian National Piano Award is ready to have a week of incredible music

Performance Order for Monday afternoon and evening recitals

When asked who inspires him, Vatche responds, "Every single musician on this planet.  We are all in this together and we are all striving for the same goal, to communicate through music without words".

Europe has a very rich history and culture in classical music, and travelling in general has definitely opened my eyes to so many different cultures and lifestyles; from small towns in Italy that enjoy a simple but content life, to big capital cities such as Vienna with impressive grand and elegant architecture, and where there is so much happening all the time, especially in classical music.

I love many composers. I like to play music from W. A. Mozart and F. Liszt, because I find that their music speaks to me the most.