Chopin 2025: I became a pianist because of Chopin - David Khrikuli
The Georgian pianist David Khrikuli, one of the eleven finalists of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, has said that it was Chopin’s music that inspired him to choose the piano and become a pianist.
After his performance on the last day of the competition, David Khrikuli said on Monday that it was a great privilege for him to have played in the final round. "Chopin is the reason why I chose the piano and became a pianist," he said.
"Chopin is an exceptional composer because his way of thinking differed from that of others. To play his music, it's not enough to be a good musician — you also have to understand how the instrument truly works," Khrikuli explained.
In his opinion, in order to interpret Chopin's works well, pianists must connect with Polish folklore. "Mazurkas and polonaises are woven into his music. To perform them well, you must understand and feel those dances," Khrikuli said.
During the final, the artist played the Concerto in F minor Op. 21. which he described as introspective, dark and full of emotional swings.
"I think this concerto is underrated... By choosing it, I wanted to pay tribute to the composition," he said
The final round, held from Saturday through Monday, featured eleven pianists from seven countries. Competitors included Piotr Alexewicz (Poland), Kevin Chen (Canada), David Khrikuli (Georgia), Shiori Kuwahara (Japan), Tianyou Li (China), Eric Lu (USA), Tianyao Lyu (China), Vincent Ong (Malaysia), Miyu Shindo (Japan), Zitong Wang (China), and William Yang (USA).
Each pianist performed Chopin's Polonaise-Fantasy in A-flat major, Op. 61 and one of the two piano concertos, either in E minor, Op. 11, or in F minor, Op. 21, accompanied by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Andrzej Boreyko.
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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