Russian pianist Yulianna Avdeeva is the surprise winner of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw.

Avdeeva was announced as the best from the ten finalists late Wednesday night. Eighty one contestants began the competition three weeks ago.

Yuliana, who was educated in Russia and Switzerland and has now won ten international piano competitions, received a gold medal and a cash prize of 30,000 euros.

The jury’s decision came as a shock to some in the audience at the Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw, after it was expected that the Austrian Ingolf Wundar would walk away with the top prize.

Wundar was eventually awarded joint second prize alongside Lithuania’s Lukas Geniušas.

In third place was the Russian Daniil Trifonov, Bulgarian Evgeni Bozhanov was fourth and Frenchman François Dumont was fifth.

No sixth place was awarded, which meant Poland’s entry Paweł Wakarecy missed out on a prize.

The winners are to perform at gala concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. (pg)

Yulianna Avdeeva plays Chopin: http://konkurs.chopin.pl/en/edition/xvi/video/3_Yulianna_Avdeeva 

International Chopin Competition on Thenews.pl and Polishradio.pl:

Chopin Competition – Wunder was wunderbar! , thenews.pl 20.10.2010

Chopin Piano Competition , polishradio.pl 20.10.2010

International Chopin Competition in Warsaw , polishradio.pl 12.10.2010

Chopin Competition , polishradio.pl 8.10.2010

Chopin and me , polishradio.pl 6.10.2010