A Canadian pianist has been named the winner of one of the most noteworthy competitions in the world.

Bruce (Xioyu) Liu, 24, was named the winner of the 18th Frederic Chopin international competition by a jury of 17 chaired by Polish pianist and professor Katarzyna Popowa-Zydro.

Liu was among 12 finalists and performed Chopin's Concerto in E minor, opus 11 in his final performance. The competition took place at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, under the director of Andrey Boreyko -- former music director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (2001-2006).

You can watch the final performances here (Liu's performance begins around the 3:02:30 mark).

"Oh my. I don't know what to say, honestly," Liu said upon being named the winner, the Associated Press reports.

"Being able to play Chopin in Warsaw is one of the best things you can imagine, of course, so I'm truly honoured for this award, of course, and for this jury's trust and for all the warmth I have received in recent days," Liu said.

Liu takes home a 40,000 Euro ($57,000 CAD) prize. 

The young pianist was born in Paris and moved to Canada where he trained in Montreal. He is a graduate of the Montreal Conservatoire where he trained under Richard Raymond and is currently a student of Dang Thai Son.