Chopin 2025: Polonaise-Fantaisie a demanding composition, says Tianyou Li
Tianyou Li of China was the first pianist to perform the Polonaise-Fantasy in A-flat major, Op. 61 in the finals of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw on Saturday.
After his performance, Tianyou Li said that he found the polonaise a demanding composition, very intricate and full of emotions. "It is difficult to maintain its steady rhythm, at the same time preserving the fluidity of music and rich content," he said.
Tianyou Li was also asked about his experience with playing the second Chopin piece in the final round, a concerto, accompanied by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Andrzej Boreyko. "I very much like both forms," he said. "When I play solo, I can get immersed in my own world. Performing with an orchestra requires collaboration with other musicians, which I value greatly."
"The most difficult part was playing solo... while the orchestra members were listening so close on stage. I have never had an experience like that before," he said.
The final stage of this year's contest features, in alphabetical order, Piotr Alexewicz (Poland), Kevin Chen (Canada), David Khrikuli (Georgia), Shiori Kuwahara (Japan), Tianyou Li (China), Eric Lu (United States), Tianyao Lyu (China), Vincent Ong (Malaysia), Miyu Shindo (Japan), Zitong Wang (China) and William Yang (United States).
The final round concerts take place at the National Philharmonic, from Saturday to Monday. Each pianist performs 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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