Dang Thai Son, the winner of the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition 25 years ago is inaugurating the 15th edition of this prestigious event tonight at the National Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw.
Out of over two hundred young pianists who took part in the auditions, 80 have been chosen by the international jury to play in the first stage. This time, the most sizeable group of 20 performers, comes from Poland. The traditionally strong contingent of representatives from Japan have secured 19 places for themselves.
As every five years, Polish Radio is one of the sponsors of the Chopin Competition honoring the rendition of the best mazurka with a special prize. This year, the 6 best pianists will also be awarded by the Polish president, prime minister as well as the culture, education and foreign ministers. Winning the Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw is tantamount to an international career and stardom. Among its best known laureates are such famous names as Bella Davidovich, Adam Harasiewicz, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich, Garrick Ohlsson, Krystian Zimerman, Stanislav Bunin, Kevin Kenner or Yundi Li, not to mention the highly controversial Ivo Pogorelic who was the author of the greatest artistic scandal in the 78 year history of the Chopin Piano Competition.
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