Warsaw, Oct 3 (PTI) Gallant, ceremonial, and magnificently grand: the 19th International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition commenced at the Warsaw Philharmonic with Frederic Chopin’s Polonaise in A major, Op 40. The selection, an embodiment of grandeur, was orchestrated by Grzegorz Fitelberg and conducted by Andrzej Boryeko, echoing the competition’s inaugural performance in 1927.
This year’s competition, taking place from October 2-20, marks a significant step towards the centenary celebration of its inception. The opening concert diverged from tradition by featuring piano concertos, showcasing compositions by Camille Saint-Saens, Francis Poulenc, and Johann Sebastian Bach. Chopin's music typically takes a back seat during these inaugural ceremonies, allowing for a diverse array of musical expressions.
The event united four former contenders of the competition - Bruce Liu, Yuliana Avdeeva, Garrick Ohlsson, and Dang Thai Son - representing a spectrum of generations and musical narratives. Canadian pianist and previous edition’s winner Bruce Liu captivated the audience with Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No 5 in F major, Op 103. The piece, known for its nuanced simplicity, came alive under Liu’s animated execution, offering an enchanting musical journey through its movements.
The evening featured Avdeeva and Ohlsson’s collaboration on Poulenc’s Concerto for two pianos and orchestra in D minor, a work praised for its dialogue between the pianos and reflecting Mozart’s influence. Closing the concert was a monumental performance by all four musicians of Bach’s Concerto for four Harpsichord in A minor, BWV 1065, an arrangement originally for Vivaldi’s four-violin concerto.
Founded in 1927 by Polish pianist Jerzy Zurawlew in response to dismissive comments about Chopin’s music, the competition was conceived to infuse the competitive spirit of sport into music. For nearly a century, the event has transformed Warsaw into the epicenter of piano music, often referred to as the “Oscars” or “Olympics” of the piano world.
Over its history, the competition has launched the careers of legendary pianists like Martha Argerich, Krystian Zimerman, Maurizio Pollini, and Yundi Li. During this year’s opening ceremony, Polish minister Wojciech Kolarski read a letter from President Karol Nawrocki, emphasizing Warsaw’s pivotal role in fostering young talent.
This year, the competition field features 84 pianists selected from a record 642 applicants from 20 countries, predominantly China, Japan, and Poland. The judging panel, led by Garrick Ohlsson, will evaluate the pianists on their mastery of Chopin through three rounds of auditions starting on Friday.
Participants are to showcase their ability across four groups of Chopin’s works - Etudes, Nocturnes, Waltzes, and Ballades. Ohlsson remarked on the challenges inherent in Chopin’s compositions, positioning them as a benchmark for a pianist’s proficiency within the broader repertoire.
The competition will culminate on October 21 with an awards gala and a concert by the laureates at the Polish National Opera. The winner receives a gold medal and a 60,000-euro prize, followed by a global concert tour across prestigious venues in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, managed by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute in collaboration with Liu Kotow agency.
Standout competitors include Eric Lu from the USA, fourth prize winner in 2015; Hao Rao from China, a 2021 finalist; Hyuk Lee from South Korea, a fellow 2021 finalist; and Eric Guo from Canada, victor of the 2023 Chopin Competition on Period Instruments.
(This article was reported by Manish Sain, in Warsaw at the invitation of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, with collaboration from the Fryderyk Chopin Institute and the Polish Institute in New Delhi).
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