Chopin Competition Preliminaries: Warsaw Welcomes the World’s Top Pianists
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As spring unfolds, timeless music echoes through Warsaw. From April 23 to May 4, 2025, the city hosts the preliminary auditions for the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition — one of the most prestigious events in classical music.
This year saw a record-breaking number of applicants: 642 pianists from 54 countries, with 160 selected to perform live in Warsaw. Participants come from Japan, China, Brazil, Italy, Uzbekistan, Canada, and of course, Poland.
How do the auditions work?
Each pianist presents a 30-minute program featuring Chopin’s music — nocturnes, etudes, mazurkas, and scherzos. The jury evaluates not just technical mastery but interpretation, style, tone, and artistic depth.
The auditions take place at the Chamber Hall of the Warsaw Philharmonic and are streamed live on chopincompetition.pl, YouTube, and the social media pages of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute.
Why does it matter?
Held only once every five years, the Chopin Competition is a career-defining milestone. Reaching the finals — let alone winning — can launch a pianist onto the world stage.
When are the results?
On May 6, the names of 80 pianists advancing to the main competition will be announced. The main stages will run from October 2 to 23, 2025, with over €200,000 in prizes.
🎧 Our tip: Don’t just listen — absorb. This isn’t just a competition; it’s where artistry, legacy, and future stars meet.
Best regards,
Volodymyr Slakva
Piano teacher for students worldwide (online)