American Pianist Eric Lu Wins International Fryderyk Chopin Competition 2025

American Pianist Eric Lu Wins the International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in Warsaw

The 19th edition of Poland’s International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition concluded with American pianist Eric Lu taking the top prize. The prestigious event, held every five years, drew a record number of over 640 applicants, aged 16 to 30, from around the world. The final round featured 11 finalists performing with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Andrzej Boreyko. Lu’s victory marks a significant milestone in his already distinguished classical music career.

Key points:

• Eric Lu, 27, from the USA, won first prize and a €60,000 gold medal at the International Fryderyk Chopin Competition.
• The competition featured a record 642 applicants, with participants primarily from China, Japan, South Korea, Poland, and the USA.
• Kevin Chen of Canada won second place (€40,000), and Zitong Wang of China won third (€35,000).
• The final involved performances of Chopin’s piano concertos and Polonaise-Fantaisie by 11 finalists.
• The jury was chaired by American pianist Garrick Ohlsson and included renowned Chopin experts and previous winners.

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Record-Breaking Participation and Global Representation

The 2025 Chopin Competition, held in Warsaw, attracted an unprecedented field of 642 young pianists aged between 16 and 30, all vying to interpret Chopin’s works with excellence. This record participation underscores the competition’s stature as a premier classical music event. Pianists hailed from 19 countries, with China leading the representation with 28 participants, followed by Japan and Poland, each contributing 13 pianists. The significant Asian presence highlights Chopin’s enduring popularity beyond his Polish homeland.

The contestants underwent a rigorous selection and qualification process, including preliminary rounds in Warsaw. Ultimately, 84 pianists were chosen to compete, with 11 advancing to the final stage. This year’s finals showcased extraordinary talent from an international roster including Poland’s Piotr Alexewicz, Canada’s Kevin Chen, Georgia’s David Khrikuli, Japan’s Shiori Kuwahara and Miyu Shindo, China’s Tianyou Li, Tianyao Lyu, and Zitong Wang, Malaysia’s Vincent Ong, and the US’s William Yang alongside Lu.

Competition Format and Musical Highlights

The competition is centered almost exclusively around the works of Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin, commemorating the anniversary of his death in October. Finalists performed demanding pieces including Chopin’s two piano concertos and the Polonaise-Fantaisie (Op. 61), regarded as technically and interpretively challenging. Special prizes were awarded for distinguished performances of Mazurkas, Concertos, Sonatas, Polonaises, and Ballades.

This year’s special awards recognized Jehuda Prokopowicz for the best Mazurkas performance, Tianyao Lyu for best Concerto, Zitong Wang for best Sonata, Tianyou Li for best Polonaise, and Adam Kałduński for best Ballade. The comprehensive recognition of diverse Chopin forms highlights the contestants’ versatile mastery of the composer’s oeuvre.

Eric Lu’s Journey and Artistic Acclaim

Eric Lu, originally from Massachusetts, has been an established figure in the classical music world prior to this victory. As a 17-year-old, he placed fourth in the 2015 Chopin International Competition, and he graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in 2020. Lu has earned numerous accolades, including the top prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2018, and he has released acclaimed recordings such as an album of Schubert Impromptus.

Upon being named winner after extended jury deliberations, Lu expressed deep gratitude, acknowledging Chopin enthusiasts worldwide who followed the competition online and applauding the Warsaw audience. Poland’s culture minister Marta Cienkowska praised Lu’s interpretations for their maturity, subtlety, and phrasing – qualities she noted resonated deeply with Chopin’s spirit.

Distinguished Jury and Historic Traditions

The 2025 jury was chaired by American pianist Garrick Ohlsson, himself a former Chopin Competition winner in 1970. The panel comprised a mix of distinguished pianists and past laureates, including Dang Thai Son, Yulianna Avdeeva, Nelson Goerner, Kevin Kenner, Robert McDonald, Krzysztof Jabłoński, Piotr Paleczny, Ewa Pobłocka, John Rink, and John Allison. Their extensive discussions, lasting nearly five hours, concluded in a unanimous decision endorsing Lu’s artistry.

The Chopin Competition, founded in 1927 and organized by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, remains one of the few elite contests devoted solely to a single composer’s works. It is widely regarded as a career-launching platform for pianists, with past winners such as Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich, Krystian Zimerman, Rafał Blechacz, and Bruce Liu achieving international acclaim. Poland shares the record for the most winners, with Rafał Blechacz being the last Polish victor in 2005, who uniquely won several special prizes alongside first place.

Cultural Legacy of Fryderyk Chopin

Chopin, born in 1810 near Warsaw, was a musical prodigy who composed many masterpieces early in life before emigrating to Paris at 20. He became known for his solo piano compositions inspired by Polish folk motifs, including mazurkas and polonaises, which carry potent nationalistic symbolism emblematic of the Romantic era. Despite battling poor health, Chopin’s artistic legacy endures; the urn containing his heart rests in Warsaw’s Holy Cross Church, symbolizing his lasting connection to his country.

Enthusiastic Audience and Broadcast Reach

The 2025 competition attracted vast interest globally, with live broadcasts streamed by the Chopin Institute on YouTube, reaching classical music aficionados worldwide. Tickets sold out rapidly with final round tickets disappearing within minutes of release. Audience members, including international visitors such as Japanese student Kosei Harada, expressed admiration for the high caliber of performances, with many appreciating Lu’s winning artistry.

The award ceremony will take place at the Polish National Opera, featuring prizewinner concerts to be broadcast by the Chopin Institute, continuing the tradition of celebrating outstanding interpretations of Chopin’s music on the world stage.

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The International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition remains a beacon of artistic excellence and cultural heritage, blending historical reverence with the discovery of new piano luminaries like Eric Lu. His triumph not only honors Chopin’s music but also adds a new chapter to the enduring global legacy of the competition.

Questions and answers

Q: Who won the 2025 Chopin Piano Competition

A: As of now, the winner of the 2025 Chopin Piano Competition has not been announced since the competition typically takes place every five years, with the latest edition being held in 2021. The competition is a prestigious international piano event held in Warsaw, Poland, dedicated to the works of Frédéric Chopin.

Q: Eric Lu Chopin Competition victory

A: Eric Lu, an American pianist, won the 3rd prize at the XVII International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition held in 2021. His performance was highly praised for its sensitivity and technical skill, marking him as one of the notable young talents in the classical piano world.

Q: International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition results

A: The International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, held in Warsaw every five years, awards top prizes to outstanding pianists interpreting Chopin's works. The most recent results from the 2021 edition saw Bruce Liu of Canada winning the first prize, followed by other laureates including Eric Lu and Kyohei Sorita, reflecting a global range of talented artists.

Q: History of Chopin Piano Competition winners

A: The International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition has a rich history of showcasing exceptional pianists since its inception in 1927. Notable winners include Maurizio Pollini (1960), Martha Argerich (1965), Krystian Zimerman (1975), and Yundi Li (2000). The competition has played a significant role in launching the careers of some of the greatest classical pianists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Q: Chopin piano competition jury members

A: The jury of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition is composed of distinguished pianists, pedagogues, and music experts from around the world. Members are typically renowned figures in the classical music community who have a deep understanding of Chopin's music and performance standards, ensuring a fair and expert evaluation of contestants' performances.

Key Entities

Eric Lu: Eric Lu is an American pianist acclaimed for his technical mastery and expressive performances. He won the First Prize at the 2018 International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, solidifying his reputation in the classical music world.

International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition: The International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition is a prestigious event held every five years in Warsaw, dedicated to the works of composer Fryderyk Chopin. It is one of the oldest and most respected piano competitions, attracting top pianists worldwide.

Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra: The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra is a leading Polish symphony orchestra based in Warsaw, known for its rich history and high artistic standards. It frequently accompanies soloists in major competitions and concerts, including events like the Chopin Piano Competition.

Garrick Ohlsson: Garrick Ohlsson is an American classical pianist renowned for his expansive repertoire and interpretative depth. He is distinguished as the first American to win the International Chopin Piano Competition in 1970.

Kevin Chen: Kevin Chen is a Taiwanese-American pianist celebrated for his lyrical playing and competition successes. He was a laureate of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, which helped launch his international performing career.

External articles

• Eric Lu ('20), Zitong Wang ('22), and William Yang ('23) Win ...
• American Eric Lu, 27, wins International Chopin Piano ...
• Just in: American wins Chopin Competition

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YouTube Video

Title: ERIC LU – final round (19th Chopin Competition, Warsaw)
Channel: Chopin Institute
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFTHzzFA-TQ
Published: 3 days ago