The young Canadian pianist, Avan Yu, only 21 years old but with an uncommon performing maturity merited the award of Second Prize and Silver Medal as well the Audience Prize at the last edition of the Paloma O'Shea Santander International Piano Competition, undoubtedly one of the most prestigious worldwide. Starting with L. v. Beethoven's "Sonata in A flat major, Op. 110, this soloist gave us a good glimpse of his excellent taste with a precise "Moderato cantabile molto expressivo", played with elegance and delicacy.

Amazing the twelve Chopin Etudes that followed, performed at an incredible speed and virtuosity with masterful keyboard skills filled with a good dose of expressiveness. In the second part, with I. Albéniz's "Sevilla", started the route to the Spanish music. He played such beautiful piece with grace and temperament, followed by F. Liszt "Ballade No. 2 in B minor" a highlight full of energy and interpretative force.

Liszt's realistic and colossal piano did not appear to be an obstacle for a performer of Avan Yu's magnitude. He concluded his recital on the 24th at the Caja Vital Foundation with Stravinsky's "Three movements of Petrushka", a very complex score played with accuracy by the Canadian who exhibited an orchestral instrument full of sound richness After a warm applause he thanked the audience by playing A. Ginastera's "Danza de la Moza Donosa" and Albéniz's "Seguidillas" two pieces culminating such outstanding performance.