The inaugural concert will be given by the local Pomeranian Symphony Orchestra under Ukrainian conductor Mykola Diadura, with Poland’s Mateusz Krzyżowski as the soloist in Chopin’s F minor Piano Concerto.
First-stage auditions begin on Monday, featuring fifty-one pianists from across Europe, as well as from Japan, China, South Korea, Chile, and Canada.
They were selected from more than 240 candidates representing 36 countries in preliminary rounds held earlier this year in Poland, Austria, Italy, South Korea, Japan, China, and the United States.
Now in its 13th edition, the competition aims to promote Paderewski’s compositional legacy, with several of his works included among the compulsory pieces.
An international jury, chaired by Polish pianist Piotr Paleczny, includes such renowned artists as Philippe Giusiano, Olga Kern, and Alexander Kobrin.
The prizewinners’ names will be announced on November 22. The total prize fund exceeds EUR 62,000, with the first prize winner receiving EUR 30,000.
A wide range of special prizes will also be awarded, including the Polish Foreign Minister’s Prize for the promotion of Paderewski’s music on the international stage.
The event is held under the honorary patronage of President Karol Nawrocki.
In addition to his triumphant musical career, Paderewski was also a prominent statesman and one of the architects of Poland’s regained independence in 1918.
In 1919, as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, he co-chaired the Polish delegation at the Peace Conference in Paris and signed the Treaty of Versailles.
He died in the United States in 1941 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.
In 1992, his remains were brought to Poland and interred at St. John’s Cathedral in Warsaw.
(mk/ał)