Joshua Han, a 22-year-old music and medical student, has won the Australian National Piano Award, a prestigious biannual competition. His unique repertoire, which included an arrangement of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, earned him the top prize.
Han’s total winnings amount to $41,000, with $33,000 from the main prize and four additional special awards. Competing against 12 other talented pianists aged 21 to 35, Han performed a diverse range of pieces, featuring works by Bartók, Beethoven, Chopin, Bach, Prokofiev, Mozart, and even Freddie Mercury, arranged by Alexey Kurbatov.
“I wanted to stay true to myself as a musician,” Han told AAP. “I love all kinds of music, and it’s important to blend different styles.”
The competition is known for its intensity. Finalists must perform two 45-minute solo recitals, after which five are selected for the semi-final. From there, three finalists advance to the grand final.
Rio Xiang, a 25-year-old pianist from New South Wales, received the $13,000 second prize, while Jude Holland, 21, from Western Australia, won the $7,000 third prize.
Han is no stranger to the stage. He won his first gold at the Sydney Eisteddfod at the age of six and has continued to garner accolades at both local and international levels. At 11, he reached the grand final of Australia’s Got Talent alongside his brother, performing a rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean. This, however, marks his first opportunity to compete in the national piano award due to age restrictions.
Starting piano at the age of four with his music-teacher mother, Han now practices about four hours daily, balancing his music studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with his medical degree at Sydney University.
His prize money will go toward essential expenses, such as sheet music, piano tuning, airfare for performances, and masterclass fees.
The Australian National Piano Award, one of two major awards for Australian pianists, is regarded as a launchpad for international careers. However, the event, which costs over $250,000 to run, faces an uncertain future due to funding concerns. Despite the immense efforts of volunteers contributing an estimated 5,000 hours, the competition may struggle to continue after its next iteration in 2026, according to the award’s president, Darryl Coote.
Coote emphasized the importance of establishing a fund to sustain the competition: “Ideally, we’d like to create an investment fund, where the interest can cover ongoing costs and keep the competition alive.”
Han echoed the sentiment, recognizing the award’s significance for young Australian musicians: “It’s such an essential opportunity for emerging talent to break into the music world. There’s a rich history behind it that shouldn’t be lost.”
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