Melbourne pianist Charlie Wu has been awarded the Grand Prix at the Fifth International Competition for Young Pianists – the Grand Piano Competition in Moscow, sharing the competition’s highest honour with 10-year-old Russian pianist Emir Zakaria.

Wu, a Year 8 student at Caulfield Grammar School, claimed the top award following the competition’s finals at Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, where he performed Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. The work is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding works in the piano repertoire.

Only 15 young pianists from around the world were selected to perform with orchestra in the finals. Eight laureates, including Wu, were invited to perform again at the prize-giving ceremony.

In addition to the shared Grand Prix, Wu received US$8,000 in prize money and a Yamaha grand piano, and has already attracted interest from concert promoters in Europe and China.

Artistic director Denis Matsuev praised the exceptional standard of the competitors.

“When I listen to a talented performance, I do not hide the fact that I and the highly respected members of the jury learn a lot from the participants,” he said. “When I look at them, I...