Bruce Liu of Canada wins 18th Chopin international piano competition

The jury of the 18th Frederic Chopin international piano competition has named Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu of Canada the winner of the first prize of 40,000 euros ($45,000) in the competition that launches pianists' international careers. The news broke early Thursday morning, just hours after the last of the 12 finalists performed a Chopin concerto with the orchestra at Warsaw's packed National Philharmonic.

Alexander Gadjiev, representing Italy and Slovenia, and Kyohei Sorita, representing Japan, shared the second prize of 30,000 euros ($35,000), while Martin Garcia Garcia of Spain received the third prize of 20,000 euros ($23,000).

Liu’s first reaction was “Oh my god. I don’t know what to say, honestly.”

“We have been dreaming with all these people here for this prestigious stage,” the 24-year-old said in English.

“Being able to play Chopin in Warsaw is one of the best things you can imagine, of course, so I’m truly honored for this award, of course, and for this jury’s trust and for all the warmth I have received in recent days,” Liu said.

A high ranking in the prestigious competition allows pianists to perform in the world's most prestigious concert halls and to record with well-known record labels.

The tournament, which is held every five years, was postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic.

WARSAW, POLISH REPUBLICAN REPUBLICAN REPUBLI The jury of the Frederic Chopin international piano competition was hearing the final finalists in Warsaw on Wednesday before announcing the winner of the 40,000-euro ($45,000) first prize in the prestigious competition that launches pianists' international careers.

After the last four of the 12 finalists perform a Chopin concerto with the orchestra in their evening concerts, the jury will convene for deliberations. The last eight finalists competed on Monday and Tuesday.

The judgement will be announced at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw late at night.

Katarzyna Popowa-Zydron, the jury's chair, stated that in addition to being excellent pianists, the contestants should demonstrate sensitivity and bring freshness to the music.

In an early interview, Popowa-Zydron noted, “I try to look for a rapport between the performer and Chopin,” 

Music is a “message from a person,” and (musicians) should be aware of Chopin's personality.

The 17-member panel bowed to their artistry this year, allowing two more finalists than normal. Due to the pandemic, the tournament, which takes place every five years, was postponed by a year.

Leonora Armellini of Italy, J.J. Jun Li Bui and Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu of Canada, Alexander Gadjiev of Italy and Slovenia, Martin Garcia Garcia of Spain, Eva Gevorgyan of Russia and Armenia, Jakub Kuszlik and Kamil Pacholec of Poland, Aimi Kobayashi and Kyohei Sorita of Japan, China's Hao Rao, and Hyuk Lee of South Korea are among the finalists.

The level of competition this year was extremely high, according to observers, making it impossible to identify a favourite to win.

According to Aleksander Laskowski, a spokeswoman for the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, which organised the competition, all of the finalists are "extremely remarkable artists."

The winner will get a gold medal and a monetary reward from Poland's president's office, as well as significant recording and concert contracts.

The second award is worth 30,000 euros ($35,000), while the third prize is worth 30,000 euros ($35,000). The third place award is 20,000 euros ($23,000), and the fourth place prize is 15,000 euros ($17,000). Prizes for fifth, sixth, and seventh place, as well as other honours for the finalists, are sponsored by the Polish government, music institutions, and individual benefactors.

Maurizio Pollini of Italy, Martha Argerich of Argentina, Garrick Ohlsson of the United States, Krystian Zimerman and Artur Blechacz of Poland, and Seong-Jin Cho of South Korea are among the former winners.

Chopin, Poland's best-known and adored classical music composer and pianist, was born in 1810 to a Polish mother and a French father in Zelazowa Wola, near Warsaw. He left Poland at the age of 19 to further his musical study in Vienna, then moved in Paris, where he composed, gave concerts, and taught piano. He died in Paris on October 17, 1849, and was interred in the Pere Lachaise cemetery. His heart is at Warsaw's Holy Cross Church.

The Chopin Institute's YouTube account and Polish state radio will broadcast the auditions live.