The jury of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, led by Garrick Ohlsson, selected 11 pianists to advance to the final stage. Poland’s Piotr Alexewicz remains the country’s only representative in this year’s competition.
Music lovers worldwide now know the names of the finalists competing in Warsaw, where the celebrated contest continues its long tradition of honoring Chopin’s genius.
Established in 1927, the event stands among the oldest and most respected piano competitions ever held. Since its founding, participants have performed only the works of Fryderyk Chopin, preserving the Polish composer’s musical spirit for nearly a century.
Eleven Artists Prepare for a Defining Performance
Alongside Alexewicz, the finalists include Kevin Chen (Canada), David Khrikuli (Georgia), Shiori Kuwahara (Japan), Tianyou Li (China), Eric Lu (United States), Tianyao Lyu (China), Vincent Ong (Malaysia), Miyu Shindo (Japan), Zitong Wang (China), and William Yang (United States).
Each pianist will perform Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantaisie, Op. 61, followed by a concerto in either E minor, Op. 11, or F minor, Op. 21. They will be accompanied by the National Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Andrzej Boreyka.
The final auditions will take place from October 18 to 20, beginning each evening at 6 p.m., marking three days of world-class performances in Poland’s capital.
Finalists Compete for Glory and Gold in Historic Contest
The competition’s champion will receive a €60,000 prize and a gold medal, securing a place among the most celebrated pianists in modern history.
Each artist enters the stage hoping to join the ranks of previous laureates who transformed classical music with their interpretations of Chopin’s masterpieces.
As the final round approaches, Warsaw’s music halls prepare for three unforgettable nights of artistry, emotion, and technical brilliance — where one pianist will rise to claim the world’s most revered piano title.
