Jiachen Qin and Kaiwen Zhao: the Luminara Duo shines in Rome

The Chinese pianists Jiachen Qin and Kaiwen Zhao, performing as the Luminara Duo, won the Absolute First Prize in the Two-Piano Duo Section of the 35th Roma International Piano Competition with an outstanding score of 99.6/100.

The Cuomo Foundation, the competition’s main partner since 2004, warmly congratulates the duo on this remarkable achievement.

Founded in Salzburg in 2024, the Luminara Duo brings together two musicians whose paths first crossed at Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music. After pursuing their studies separately in Berlin and Salzburg, Qin and Zhao reunited to explore the piano-duo repertoire. They are currently completing advanced studies at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg under the guidance of internationally acclaimed piano duo Tal & Groethuysen. Their collaboration is distinguished by structural clarity, technical precision and an ability to draw orchestral colours from two pianos.

Both musicians bring extensive training and performance experience to the ensemble. Jiachen Qin began her studies at the Central Conservatory of Music’s primary school in 2009 before continuing at its affiliated secondary school. In 2017, she moved to Germany to study at the Berlin University of the Arts, where she completed her master's degree in piano in 2022. Her distinctions include first prizes at the Hong Kong Music Performance Competition, Salzburg Grand Prix Virtuoso, Barcelona Grand Prix and Royal Public International Music Competition, as well as second prize at the Rosario Marciano International Piano Competition. She has performed across China, Canada, Europe and the United States and participated in the Morningside Music Bridge festival.

Kaiwen Zhao began piano lessons at the age of four and entered the junior high school affiliated with Beijing’s Central Conservatory at twelve. Since 2017, he has continued his studies at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg. His awards include first prizes at the Xinghai Cup and Pearl River Kayserburg national piano competitions, alongside second prize and a silver medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. He has also received recognition at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition for Young Artists and the Chieti Classica International Piano Competition. His performances have taken him across China and Europe, including appearances with the Utah Symphony and the New Russian National Symphony Orchestra.

The duo's repertoire reflects a wide-ranging artistic approach. In London in 2026, they presented works by Mozart, Schubert, Debussy and Ravel, including Mozart’s Sonata in B-flat major, Schubert’s Fantasia in F minor and Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye. These works demand both individual virtuosity and close coordination between performers.

The 35th Roma International Piano Competition brought together musicians from around the world, with categories spanning young and emerging pianists, four-hands and two-piano duos, and the Chopin Prize. Since 2004, the Cuomo Foundation has supported the event as its main partner, helping maintain an international platform where young musicians can present their work, gain recognition and develop their careers.

For the Cuomo Foundation, the Luminara Duo’s success is a source of great pride. The Foundation warmly congratulates both pianists on their 99.6/100 score and Absolute First Prize, and wishes them continued success in sharing the richness of two-piano music with audiences worldwide.