Behind the scenes notes. 4th day

Majority of pianists performing on Monday, the fourth day of stage 1 auditions, represented China. There were also participants from South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Spain, the U.S.A., Italy and France, as well as Philipp Lynov, individual neutral pianist.

At stage 1, the pieces performed include a technically challenging etude, a no less challenging lively and melodious waltz, a melancholy nocturne, and one of four compositions of a genre that Chopin introduced to piano music – the narrative and dramatic ballade. Instead of a ballade, some pianists are choosing the Barcarole – inspired by the songs of Venice gondoliers, or the complex Fantasy, Op. 49.

Tianyou Li from China played the Fantasy. ‘It is the fullest and richest of all the pieces that I played today, it can touch the listeners very deep,’ he said (through interpretation from Chinese); and he affirmed that he's ‘quite happy’ with his performance. ‘I remember that already as a small child I was listening to a lot of Chopin. Still, I do not consider myself a specialist in Chopin music, but I wanted to test myself and I know I could learn a lot from this experience,’ he added at the end of the conversation.

Another participant from China, Xiaoxuan Li, who has chosen Ballade in F major Opus 38, said he believed his performance was ‘OK.’ ‘I’m quite satisfied with the ballade and the waltz – especially with the waltz. The etude was not that satisfied, but [scoring] should be quite well,’ Xiaoxuan assessed. ‘Chopin’s very emotional (…) I think we have to fill the emotions in the piece and relate it to our life experience. And then we have different personalities and colours in every performance by different pianists (…) It all depends on personal interpretation,’ he explained.

Some experts following the auditions noted that – on top of being very numerous – the team from China was also very strong on the technical and interpretative side.  

In the morning session two brothers – Hyo Lee and Hyuk Lee – representing South Korea, but living now in Warsaw, drew the public’s applause and also general interest, enhanced by the fact that they both speak fluent Polish. Both said after their performances they were treating the Competition rather like a concert at a festival in which they are sharing music with the publicity.

‘As pianists, we always make music for the audience, so if the stage is the place where you get nervous, there is no point in playing,’ Hyo Lee said. ‘So, when we play and are happy about it, I believe that the (…) people also enjoy it as much as we do.’ ‘We are very happy that we are taking part in this Competition together with my brother because we can feel a very close, family atmosphere,’ Hyo added.

The stage 1 auditions will close on Tuesday, when the Jury will hear the remaining 16 of the 84 participants. The list of those admitted to the next stage is expected to be announced Tuesday night. Stage 2 begins Thursday morning.