Frédéric Chopin
(c) Polish Institute Paris
The first round of the First International Chopin Competition on Historical Instruments is launched today in Warsaw. 16 Polish candidates are competing, as well as pianists from eight countries: Belgium, China, France, Japan, Russia, Romania, the United States and Ukraine.
In the third round, the six finalists will perform music by Chopin with orchestra, accompanied by the Orchestra of the 18th Century. The pianists may use various instruments, including Erards from 1838, 1849 and 1855, Pleyels from 1848 and 1854, and an 1843 Broadwood, as well as replicas of period instruments.
The international jury include Dang Thai Son, Nelson Goerner, Tobias Koch, Alexei Lubimov, Andreas Staier and Ewa Poblocka. Prizewinners will be announced on September 13.
