Every four years, athletes from around the world prepare to compete in the Olympics, striving to bring home a gold medal. The Games not only celebrate excellence across 43 sporting events but also highlight the unity of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Yet, while the Olympics honor athletic achievement, what about talented musicians? The Chopin Competition, often called the “Olympics of Piano,” draws pianists from across the globe to Warsaw, Poland, where they showcase their artistry through the works of a single composer—Frederic Chopin. Unlike the Olympics, however, this prestigious event is held every five years, heightening both the anticipation and the pressure. As the 2025 Chopin Competition (19th Chopin Competition) approaches, excitement among fans, musicians, and past winners is at an all-time high. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this year’s competition so special.
The 19th Chopin Competition marks the 100th anniversary of the competition. Starting in 1927, the Chopin Competition has evolved throughout the past few decades, adding in new awards, repertoire, and talented pianists. To celebrate this centenary, the competition hosted an amazing opening ceremony that consisted of performances by world-renowned artists to commemorate the life-long mission of promoting Chopin’s music.
The Competitors
A total of 84 pianists, ranging from 16 to 30 years-old, were chosen to participate in the official 19th Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Fans were excited to see all time favorites such as Hyuk Lee, who was a finalist at the 18th Chopin Competition, and Eric Lu, who won fourth place at the 17th Chopin Competition at 17, re-enter this year. More surprisingly, audiences were shocked to see a range of young pianists qualify for the competition from 16 year-old Wuyi Fan to 18 year old Ryan Wang. Despite the young contestants’ ages, they demonstrated their artistic and technical abilities on the preliminary stages that could compete with the more mature twenty and thirty year-olds.
The Jury
As usual, the Jury of the competition consists of the most talented pianists of the century. From the infamous Dong Thai Son to the legendary Garrick Ohlsson, it can be safe to say the competitors need to put on their best performances if they want to advance to the next round. This year, the jury also consists of past winners such as Yulianna Avdeeva and Ewa Poblocka.
All in all, the Chopin Competition stands as one of the most prestigious events in the world of classical music. Soon, in less than two weeks, a new winner will once again captivate audiences worldwide.
