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Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw: Stage 2, day 1

09.10.2025 11:15
British pianist Jacky Zhang opened the second stage of the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw on Thursday morning.
Audio
A special tram celebrating Fryderyk Chopin rolls through Warsaw as the Polish capital hosts its premier piano competition.
A special tram celebrating Fryderyk Chopin rolls through Warsaw as the Polish capital hosts its premier piano competition.Photo: PAP/Szymon Pulcyn

The 17-year-old performed a recital consisting of two Polonaises, Op. 26, Nos. 1 and 2, and the complete cycle of 24 Preludes, Op. 28.

Przez najbliższe tygodnie antena Dwójki wypełnia się dźwiękami i emocjami XIX Międzynarodowego Konkursu Pianistycznego im. Fryderyka Chopina. N.z. Jacky Zhang British pianist Jacky Zhang performs during the second round of the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Photo: Wojciech Grzędziński/NIFC

The day's remaining contestants include Poland’s Piotr Alexewicz, Germany’s Jonas Aumiller, Kai-Min Chng of Chinese Taipei, Canada’s Kevin Chen, and five pianists from China: Yanyan Bao, Xuehong Chen, Zixi Chen, Yobo Deng and Yang (Jack) Gao.

A total of 40 pianists from 14 countries, including four from Poland, are competing in the second stage, with the prizewinners to be announced on October 20.

First held in 1927, the Warsaw event is among the world’s most prestigious piano contests and has helped shape the careers of many leading pianists.

(mk/gs)

Click on the audio player above to listen to an interview with music critic Andrzej Sułek.