The 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition concluded with the triumph of American pianist Eric Lu, but the jury’s decision sparked debate within the musical world. While the event once again placed Warsaw at the center of global attention, many experts and fans remain divided over the outcome.

A Legendary Event in the Heart of Warsaw

The International Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years since 1927, is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious contests for pianists. Dedicated entirely to the music of Fryderyk Chopin, it has launched the careers of many great artists — from Martha Argerich and Krystian Zimerman to Seong-Jin Cho. The 2025 edition gathered 87 competitors from 20 countries, who performed over three intense weeks in Warsaw’s National Philharmonic Hall.

Winning this competition is often seen as a “passport to the world’s concert stages,” bringing both international recognition and lucrative engagements — with fees for solo recitals reportedly reaching up to $50,000 per concert.

Divided Opinions: “Athletic, Introverted, But Lacking Spark”

Despite his first-place finish, Eric Lu’s victory was not universally applauded. In an interview with Fakt, Polish musicologist Dr. Marcin Gmys expressed serious doubts about the jury’s verdict.

“It’s a very athletic, powerful, and introverted kind of playing,” said Gmys. “Technically impressive, yes, but I miss the artistic sparkle — that youthful brilliance we saw in some of the other finalists.”

Gmys added that Lu’s win was particularly surprising given that the American pianist, now 27 years old, is the oldest winner in the competition’s century-long history.

“Frankly, I don’t understand the decision. He’s a fine, solid artist, but his interpretations seemed overly cautious compared to the fresh energy of younger competitors.”

Missing Special Prizes – A Sign of the Jury’s Dilemma

Interestingly, Eric Lu did not receive any of the special prizes traditionally awarded for the best performance of Chopin’s signature forms — mazurkas, polonaises, concertos, or ballades. Instead, those honors went to a diverse group of pianists, including several Poles.

“That’s telling,” Gmys remarked. “It means he didn’t play the best mazurka, nor the best concerto, nor the best ballade. Those went to other competitors. So yes, he’s a very capable pianist, but perhaps a bit overrated in this context.”

Strong Competition: Kevin Chen and the “Polish Hope”

Among the finalists, Canadian pianist Kevin Chen, only 20 years old, was widely regarded as one of the most charismatic performers. Gmys suggested that Chen’s playing “stood out for its imagination and natural brilliance,” contrasting with Lu’s more introspective approach.

Polish pianist Jehuda Prokopowicz won the Mazurka Prize, while Adam Kałduński received the Bella Davidovich Award for the best performance of a ballade — both earning high praise for their musical individuality and charm.

Record-Level Talent and a Tight Race

Despite the controversy, experts agree that this year’s competition reached an exceptionally high level. The closeness of results — with two finalists sharing equal secondary prizes — reflected the fierce rivalry among some of the world’s best young pianists.

“The top tier was incredibly tight,” concluded Gmys. “Every pianist had something unique to offer. Perhaps that’s why the final decision feels so debatable — the differences were subtle, but emotionally significant.”

Tradition Meets Debate

As the applause fades in Warsaw’s Philharmonic Hall, the discussion over the jury’s verdict is likely to continue for months. Yet, controversy has always been part of the Chopin Competition’s magic — a reminder that art resists simple judgment.

Whether one agrees with the jury or not, the 19th Chopin Competition reaffirmed its place as one of the world’s most emotionally charged and artistically demanding music events — where Chopin’s spirit still challenges pianists to find their own truth in every note.