English Section

List of pianists to compete in Warsaw’s Chopin Competition announced

24.07.2021 10:00
An international jury has disclosed the names of 78 pianists who have qualified for the 18th International Chopin Competition in Warsaw.
Tianyu Zhou from Canada playing at the prelims of the 18th Chopin Competition in Warsaw, July 23, 2021.
Tianyu Zhou from Canada playing at the prelims of the 18th Chopin Competition in Warsaw, July 23, 2021.Photo: PAP / Wojciech Olkuśnik

Among them are 22 pianists from China, 16 from Poland, 14 from Japan, 7 from South Korea, 6 from Italy, as well as those from Armenia, Canada, the U.K., the United States, Latvia, Vietnam, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.

Almost 160 pianists from across the world took part in the 12-day preliminary round, which ended on Friday in Warsaw’s National Philharmonic Hall.

The 18th International Chopin Competition, postponed from last year because of the pandemic, begins on October 2.

A total of 87 pianists will compete for the prestigious awards. Nine pianists – prizewinners of other piano competitions of world stature – did not have to take part in the preliminary round. They include five Poles, two 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)