The decision was taken by the National Chopin Institute, the main organizer of the event. Its director, Artur Szklener, said he hoped the coronavirus pandemic will have been brought under control by the summer, allowing the competition to go ahead.
The 18th International Chopin Competition was initially due to have taken place in the autumn of 2020.
About 160 pianists from across the world are to take part in the preliminary round. They have been selected from among over 500 pianists from 33 countries on the basis of video recordings.
Nine pianists – prizewinners of other piano competitions of world stature – have already been assured of a place in the longlist of entrants. They include five Poles, two musicians from the United States, and one each from Japan and China.
Founded in 1927, the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw is among the world’s most prestigious events of its kind. Its past winners include Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich, Garrick Ohlsson, Krystian Zimerman, Dang Thai Son and Rafał Blechacz.
(mk/pk)