The decision of the organizing committee is in line with the event’s rules, which bestow such a privilege on the prize-winners of other selected major competitions.
The lucky nine includes Szymon Nehring, First Prize winner of the 2017 Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Tel Aviv, who was a finalist in the previous edition of the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw five years ago; Adam Kałduński, the winner of last year’s Chopin Piano Competition in Beijing; and Piotr Alexewicz, the winner of this year’s Polish National Chopin Competition.
The winners of the two top prizes of the Chopin Competition in Miami, Avery Gagliano and Evren Ozel of the United States, have also been selected to participate in the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition, which is scheduled to open in Warsaw on October 2.
The preliminary stage, originally planned for the second half of April in Warsaw, has been postponed until September due to the spread of the coronavirus.
A total of 164 pianists from 33 countries have qualified to take part, with China and Japan leading the field. They have 43 and 31 entrants respectively.
Founded in 1927, the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw is among the most prestigious events of its kind worldwide.
Its past winners include Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich, Garrick Ohlsson, Krystian Zimerman, Dang Thai Son and Rafał Blechacz.
(mk/pk)