The International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, held in Warsaw, is one of the most important musical events in the world. Since 1927, it has attracted young pianists from around the globe, and its winners – such as Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich, Krystian Zimerman, Rafał Blechacz, and Bruce Liu – have been springboarded to brilliant international careers. Artists such as Ivo Pogorelich and Dmitri Shostakovich have also participated, although they did not win the main prizes. This year’s winner of the prestigious competition, Eric Lu, will perform at the NFM. This is an opportunity to meet an artist on the threshold of a great journey – in a repertoire that demands not only virtuosity but, above all, a profound understanding of the style and spirit of Fryderyk Chopin’s music.

The Polish composer’s work constitutes a distinct world, full of subtle emotions, poetics, and forms. Although often rooted in classical models, these are based on individual solutions. Chopin complemented the technical sophistication of his works with extraordinary sensitivity: lyricism intertwined with drama, where the simplest gesture can move more deeply than virtuosity. The artist drew heavily on vocal music – he loved Italian operas and folk songs, combining these elements with bold harmonies and refined ornamentations. His music speaks the language of emotion but does not descend into pathos – it suggests rather than imposes, narrates rather than illustrates.

During the recital, we will hear works representing various stages of the composer’s career: Nocturne in C sharp minor op. 27 no. 1, mazurkas – some of Chopin’s most intimate and personal works, Sonata in B flat minor op. 35, Polonaise in B flat major op. 71 no. 2, and one of his stand-alone works – the Barcarolle in F sharp major op. 60. The repertoire will showcase the versatility of both the composer and the performer. Eric Lu will appear before the audience at a symbolic moment – ​​as an heir to a great tradition and, at the same time, as the creator of his own interpretive path. It will be an encounter with music that continues to move generations of listeners.