Michał Oleszak, the only Polish semifinalist, did not qualify for the finals.
The finalists will perform their choice of concertos by Paderewski, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, Schumann or Szymanowski with the Pomeranian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jakub Chrenowicz, on Friday and Saturday.
The competition's international jury is chaired by prominent Polish pianist Piotr Paleczny and includes Akemi Alink, Philippe Giusiano, Jan Jiracek von Arnim, Olga Kern, Alexander Kobrin, Ronan O’Hora, Ewa Pobłocka and Paweł Wakarecy.
Ignacy Jan Paderewski. Image: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe
The prizewinners will be announced on Saturday.
The top prize is EUR 30,000, with EUR 15,000 and EUR 7,000 awarded for second and third place respectively.
Also up for grabs is a range of special awards, including the Polish foreign minister's prize for promoting Paderewski’s music internationally, as well as prizes for the best interpretation of Paderewski's works and of a Mozart concerto.
Winners will additionally receive numerous performance opportunities, including recitals in the United States, Japan, Austria and Lithuania.
Founded in 1961, the Paderewski Competition is now in its 13th edition.
Ignacy Jan Paderewski was a celebrated Polish pianist and composer who was also one of the architects of the country's independence, which it regained in 1918 after more than 120 years of foreign rule.
He died in the United States in 1941.
(mk/gs)