Platinum Prize Winner Vladimir Nicolae Spirescu on His Musical Journey and Award-Winning Performance
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Vladimir Nicolae Spirescu, a young pianist from Romania, was awarded the Platinum Prize in the Ages 11–13 category at the Best Classical Musicians Awards 2025, Season 4. The competition took place between July 15 and October 15, 2025, with the official results announced in November 2025. Following this achievement, we invited Vladimir to share more about his musical journey, his studies and inspirations, as well as the experience behind his award-winning performance. In the conversation below, he reflects on his early musical beginnings, daily practice, artistic goals, and the people who have supported him along the way.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey in music, for example the schools you’ve studied at, the teachers who have guided you, and how long you’ve been studying, as well as your goals for the future?
Vladimir Nicolae Spirescu:
"My name is Vladimir Nicolae Spirescu, I am 12 years old and I live in Bucharest, Romania. I have a great passion for music, but I also enjoy mathematics. Most of the time, I do my maths homework while listening to music. I grew up listening to classical music, rock, and jazz.
I started studying the piano at the age of five. My first steps in music education were taken at the Children’s Club, Sector 4, Bucharest, under the guidance of Mrs. Gheorghița Din. At the beginning, everything felt like a game, without much pressure, which allowed me to get closer to music and develop my love for piano.
Starting with the 5th grade, I was admitted to 'George Enescu' National Music College in Bucharest, where I study piano under the guidance of Mrs. Cristina Maria Ralea. Here, my music study took on an academic dimension, based on discipline, rigor, and deep technical and interpretative development.
As for the future, I wish to continue growing as a musician, to study as much as possible, to deepen my musical education, and to become a concert pianist. When I am on stage, I want to offer emotion and joy through music, so that each of my performances could tell a story."
Could you tell us more about your award-winning performance of Frédéric Chopin’s Variations Brillantes, Op. 12? For instance, how did you prepare for the recording and bring the music to life?
Vladimir Nicolae Spirescu:
"Frédéric Chopin’s Variations Brillantes, Op. 12 was a real challenge for me, both technically and expressively. This piece requires maturity, and the preparation behind the scenes meant many hours of study under the guidance of my teacher, combined with constant individual practice.
I began by structuring the piece and each variation, trying to find a balance between the technical aspect - working on the clarity of fast passages - and the expressive freedom, where I aimed to emotionally connect with the music and the Chopinian spirit. I can say there were many hours spent at the piano, moments when certain passages did not work, but also moments when I felt the music becoming a part of my soul.
I learned to be patient, to pay attention to every detail, and to make the interpretation express delicacy and strength at the same time. I listened to many of Chopin`s compositions and tried to understand his romantic spirit as deeply as possible.
The recording itself was another challenge. I wanted to convey the emotion of the interpretation while also achieving the best possible sound quality from a technical point of view."
What did a typical day of practice look like for you, and how did your family support your passion for music? How do you manage your time between music training and schoolwork?
Vladimir Nicolae Spirescu:
"My days are quite similar. In the first part of the day, I attend general school classes, and the second part is dedicated to piano practice. In general, my days are full, and I try to maintain a very clear schedule – there is no day without practicing piano.
Sometimes practice feels easier, other times it is very demanding, but the piano helps me express myself and find inner calm. Schoolwork also plays an important role in my development. My parents’ support is essential - they help me stay organized, manage my time effectively, and maintain a healthy balance between school, piano practice, and everything else."
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you’d like to thank?
Vladimir Nicolae Spirescu:
"Participating in the Best Classical Musicians Awards Competition meant a great opportunity to me, and winning an important prize was both an honor and a great joy. I am deeply grateful to the organizers and jury members, as well as to my teacher, Cristina Maria Ralea, for her constant support and dedication.
I would also like to thank George Enescu National Music College, for providing an inspiring environment for my musical development. Last but not least, I thank to my parents, who are always by my side."
Biography
Vladimir Nicolae Spirescu was born in Bucharest on August 2, 2013. He is 12 years old and currently a 6th-grade student at “George Enescu” National Music College in Bucharest, Romania. He studies piano under the guidance of Mrs. Cristina Maria Ralea.
National and International Prizes
• 2019 – 1st Prize of Excellence, National Interpretation Competition “Talente Împlinite” (Accomplished Talents), “George Enescu” National College of Music, 13th Edition, May 24–25, Bucharest, Romania
• 2020 – Grand Prize, “Armonii de Toamnă” (Autumn Harmonies) Festival, 4th Edition, November 12, Oradea, Romania
• 2021 – 1st Prize of Excellence, “Rezonanțe Sonore Online” (Sound Resonances) International Festival, 3rd Edition, April 8–10, Bucharest, Romania
• 2022 – 1st Prize, “Piccolo Piano Talents” International Competition for Young Pianists, May 25–27, Serbia
• 2023 – 1st Prize of Excellence, “Talente Împlinite” International Music Competition, 14th Edition, May 25–28, Bucharest, Romania
• 2023 – 1st Prize of Excellence and Grand Prize of his category, “Appassionato” International Interpretation Competition, 1st Edition, June 3–5, Bucharest, Romania
• 2023 – 1st Prize, “Musicalfest” Classical Music Festival for Children and Youth, 2nd Edition, October 18–20, Bucharest, Romania
• 2024 – 1st Prize, “Iosif Sava” Musicological Essay and Instrumental Performance Competition, 7th Edition, April 22–26, Bucharest, Romania
• 2025 – 1st Prize of Excellence, “Scherzo” International Interpretation Competition, 7th Edition, January 31 – February 7, Bucharest, Romania
• 2025 – 1st Prize of Excellence, “Pro Piano” International Piano Performance Competition, 24th Edition, June 14–16, Bucharest, Romania
• 2025 – 1st Prize, 11–14 age category, “Settenote” International Online Piano Competition, June 21
• 2025 – Gold Prize, 11–14 age category, “Colours of Chopin” International Piano Competition, June 30, Poland
• 2025 – 1st Prize, 11–14 age category, “De Bach au Jazz” International Piano Competition & Festival, Greece
• 2025 – Platinum Prize, 11–14 age category, “Haydn Online Music” International Competition, September 30
• 2025 – Platinum Prize, 11–14 age category, “Best Classical Musicians Awards”, Season 4,
• 2025 – 1st Prize of Excellence, “Scherzo” International Interpretation Competition, 9th Edition, November 22–26
• 2025 – 1st Prize of Excellence, National Music Interpretation Competition “On the Wings of Sound”, November 22–23
Masterclasses
• Participated in the Masterclass held by Prof. Adrian Suciu (Mozarteum University, Salzburg), January 25–28, 2025
• Participated in the Masterclass held by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Toma Popovici, National University of Music, February 14–15, 2025, Bucharest, Romania
