Kevin Chen, a 20-year-old pianist hailing from Calgary, secured the second position at the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, while American Eric Lu clinched the top spot. Chen, among the 11 finalists, showcased his talent by performing a concerto with the Warsaw Philharmonic and conductor Andrey Boreyko during the competition’s final round spanning Oct. 18-20. Notably, out of the 84 total competitors, five were Canadians, including Victoria Wong, Ryan Wang, Eric Guo, and Athena Deng.
The victor was decided after extensive deliberations by a 17-member international jury led by American pianist Garrick Ohlsson. The prestigious first prize in the competition, which has a 98-year legacy, includes a cash award of 60,000 euros (approximately $98,000 CAD) and a gold medal presented by the president of Poland. Kevin Chen will receive a silver medal and 40,000 euros (around $65,000 CAD), while China’s Zitong Wang, who secured third place, will be awarded a bronze medal and 35,000 euros (roughly $57,000 CAD).
Janet Lopinski, the president and artistic director of the Canadian Chopin Society, expressed her excitement upon Chen’s achievement, mentioning that witnessing his performance in Warsaw was thrilling as he is a young talent with a promising future.
Kevin Chen’s musical journey began at the age of five, and he debuted with the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra at the tender age of seven. Recognized for his exceptional sensitivity and musicality, Chen has garnered several accolades in various international competitions, including first prizes in the Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition in Tel Aviv, the Geneva International Music Competition, and the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition in Budapest.
Currently based in Hanover, Germany, Chen’s path to the final stage of the competition involved progressing through a preliminary round with 171 pianists, followed by three solo recitals in October, narrowing down the competition from 84 to 40 and finally to 20 pianists. His final performance at the competition featured Chopin’s Piano Concerto in E Minor, Op. 11, showcasing his technical brilliance and commitment to honoring the composer’s musical intentions.
Canadian pianists have demonstrated a strong presence in the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, with notable successes in recent editions. The competition, held every five years around Oct. 17 to commemorate Chopin’s passing, elevates its laureates to global acclaim through concert engagements and prominent recording projects. Past winners include renowned pianists such as Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich, and Yundi Li, highlighting the competition’s esteemed legacy.