XIX International Chopin Piano Competition explained

The Nineteenth International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition
Date: (preliminary round)
(main stage)
Venue:National Philharmonic, Warsaw
Host:Fryderyk Chopin Institute
Holder Label:Winner
Previous:18th
Main:Chopin Competition

The XIX International Chopin Piano Competition (Polish: XIX Międzynarodowy Konkurs Pianistyczny im. Fryderyka Chopina) will be held from 2 to 23 October 2025 in Warsaw.

Background

The Chopin Competition is the most important musical event in Poland.[1] The 2025 edition will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the competition.[2] The celebrations will begin on 2 October 2025 and will last five years.[3]

The winning poster design for promoting the competition was selected through an international competition organized by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute and the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, where fifteen artists submitted a total of 30 entries. The jury, consisting of, Prot Jarnuszkiewicz, Mieczysław Wasilewski and, awarded the 40,000 złoty (US$) prize to Marcin Władyka. All submitted poster designs will be exhibited October 1-31, 2025 at the Academy's Czapski Palace, which will also host accompanying events.[3] [4]

Pianists born in the years 1995–2009 will be able to participate in the competition.[1]

Awards

PrizeWinner
€60,000TBD
€40,000TBD
€35,000TBD
4th€30,000TBD
5th€25,000TBD
6th€20,000TBD
€8,000TBD
Special prizeFounderWinner
Best Performance of a ConcertoTBDTBD
Best Performance of MazurkasTBDTBD
Best Performance of a PolonaiseTBDTBD
Best Performance of a SonataTBDTBD
Best Performance of a BalladeTBDTBD

Preliminary stage

The preliminary stage will be held from 23 April to 4 May 2025. Participants will be required to perform the following works:[5]

Main stage

The main competition from 3 to 20 October will consist of three stages and a final. An inaugural concert will be held on 2 October, and the prize-winners' concerts will take place from 21 to 23 October.[5]

Program

Participants will be required to select a different program for each stage of the competition. The competition repertoire will have to be played from memory and can be performed in any order. Contestants will not be allowed to play the same piece again in different stages of the competition, though they can perform pieces they performed in the preliminary round (except the first two etudes) in the main stage. Participants will be able to use any available edition of Chopin's works, though they are recommended to use the Chopin National Edition.[5]

Stage I program
One of One of One of One of
Stage II program
6 of the Preludes, Op. 28, either No. 7-12 or 13-18 or 19–24One of Any other pieces by Chopin to meet the required performing time of 40 to 50 minutes. Performing the full Op. 28 is allowed.
Stage III program
One of Full set of Any other pieces by Chopin to meet the required performing time of 45 to 55 minutes
Final program
Polonaise-Fantaisie, Op. 61Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 11
or
Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 21

Notes and References

  1. Web site: International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition 2025 . 2024-05-31 . Global Foundation for the Performing Arts . en-US.
  2. Web site: Gołoś . Emil . 2023-08-08 . Grzegorz MICHALSKI: Przed nami stulecie Konkursu Chopinowskiego . 2024-05-31 . Wszystko co najważniejsze . pl-pl.
  3. Web site: NIFC prezentuje plakat XIX Konkursu Chopinowskiego . 2024-05-31 . . pl.
  4. Web site: zofiakawecka . 2024-04-11 . Plakat autorstwa Marcina Władyki będzie promował Konkurs Chopinowski w 2025 roku . 2024-05-31 . . pl.
  5. Book: Regulations of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition. Fryderyk Chopin Institute. 30 May 2024.