The International Chopin Piano Competition, often referred to as the Chopin Competition, is a piano competition held in Warsaw, Poland. It was initiated in 1927 and has been held every five years since 1955. The competition is one of the founding members of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. It is also one of the few competitions devoted entirely to the works of a single composer, in this case, Frédéric Chopin. The competition is currently organized by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute.
Fou Ts'ong was a Chinese and British pianist who was the first pianist of his national origin to achieve international recognition. He came to prominence after winning third prize and the Polish Radio Prize for the best performance of Chopin's mazurkas in the 1955 V International Chopin Piano Competition, and remained particularly known as an interpreter of Chopin's music.
The Krzysztof PendereckiAcademy of Music in Kraków is a conservatory located in central Kraków, Poland. It is the alma mater of the renowned Polish contemporary composer Krzysztof Penderecki, who was also its rector for 15 years. The academy is the only one in Poland to have two winners of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw as well as a few further prize-winners among its alumni.
Jan Stanisław Ekier was a Polish pianist and composer known for his authoritative edition of Chopin's music for the Chopin National Edition.
Janusz Olejniczak was a Polish classical pianist, academic teacher and actor. He made an international career as a pianist, especially with the piano music of Chopin which he played on modern and period instruments. He portrayed the composer in the 1991 film Blue Note, and played piano music in the 2002 film The Pianist, also appearing as the hand double.
Zbigniew Drzewiecki was a Polish pianist who was for most of his life a teacher of pianists. He was especially associated with the interpretation of Frédéric Chopin's works. His pupils include several famous pianists of the 20th century, and his influence was therefore very pervasive.
Bolesław Kon was a Polish concert pianist who won international acclaim in his brief career.
Piotr Paleczny is a Polish classical pianist, winner of the 3rd prize of the VIII International Chopin Piano Competition in 1970.
Regina Smendzianka was a Polish pianist.
Ingolf Wunder is an Austrian classical pianist. In 2010, Wunder was the second prize winner at the XVI International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. He also won special prizes for best concerto, best Polonaise-Fantasie performance, and the public prize at the competition.
The XVI International Chopin Piano Competition was held in Warsaw, Poland from 3 to 20 October 2010, for the first time organized by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute. Prize winners' concerts were held October 21–23. The first prize was awarded to Yulianna Avdeeva.
Tatiana Shebanova was a Russian pianist.
The XV International Chopin Piano Competition was held from 2 to 24 October 2005 in Warsaw, organized by the Fryderyk Chopin Society. The competition was won by Rafał Blechacz of Poland, who prevailed against 80 competitors from 18 countries.
The XIV International Chopin Piano Competition was held from 4 to 22 October 2000 in Warsaw. Li Yundi of China won the First Prize, becoming the first Chinese pianist and youngest first-prize winner. He was the first competitor to be awarded the First Prize in 15 years since Stanislav Bunin won it in 1985.
The V International Chopin Piano Competition was held from 21 February to 20 March 1955 in Warsaw. The competition was won by Adam Harasiewicz of Poland.
The IV International Chopin Piano Competition was held from 15 September to 15 October 1949 in Warsaw. The first competition after World War II, it was held in connection with the centenary of Chopin's death. Polish pianist Halina Czerny-Stefańska and Soviet pianist Bella Davidovich shared first place. Due to the wartime destruction of the National Philharmonic, the auditions were held at the Roma Theatre on Nowogrodzka Street.
The III International Chopin Piano Competition was held from 21 February to 13 March 1937 in Warsaw. It was the last competition before the outbreak of World War II, and the competition would not be held again until 1949.
The II International Chopin Piano Competition was held from 6 to 23 March 1932 in Warsaw. Popular with the public, it attracted correspondents from all over the world, not least because of the high-profile composition of the competition jury. Soviet pianist Alexander Uninsky was awarded the first prize, after winning a coin toss against Imre Ungár, who was awarded second place.
The I International Chopin Piano Competition was the inaugural edition of the International Chopin Piano Competition, held from 23 to 30 March 1927 in Warsaw. Soviet pianist Lev Oborin was awarded the first prize.
