Chopin 2025: Current finals calm after decades of turmoil
The final stage of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw has always roused strong emotions, often leading to disagreements between the audience and the jury, but this year's competition has shown to be relatively more balanced.
Monday is the last day of the final auditions and the jury is due to announce the names of the winner and prizewinners late in the evening.
Eleven pianists have advanced to the last stage. The finals, often marked by tension and controversy, are taking place this year in an unusually calm atmosphere, with the jury’s verdicts generally accepted.
Past editions were often turbulent. In 1937, the audience protested when their favourite, Japanese pianist Chieko Hara, failed to win, prompting a wealthy spectator to fund an impromptu "audience prize." Similar scenes occurred in later years, as crowds passionately defended their favourites.
In 1960, Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini won universal approval, yet the jury’s lower ranking of Mexican pianist Michel Block led juror Artur Rubinstein to award him a special 'hors concours' prize. Five years later, jurors and critics clashed publicly, sparking what was later called "the rebellion of the critics."
The 1980 competition became legendary after juror Martha Argerich quit in protest over the disqualification of Ivo Pogorelich, whose unconventional style divided opinion but launched his global career.
Later controversies included the absence of a first prize in 1990, the shock victory of Yulianna Avdeeva in 2010, and voting irregularities in other editions. In contrast, recent winners such as Cho Seong-jin and Bruce Liu have been warmly received, with Liu’s refined virtuosity and cultural synthesis praised by critics.
The 19th edition of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, organised by Poland's Fryderyk Chopin Institute, runs from October 2 to October 23.
The Polish Press Agency is a media partner of the competition. (PAP)
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