NEWS

Monika Olejnik’s interview with Krystian Zimerman

20/10/2025

Courtesy of Ms. Monika Olejnik, on the Fryderyk Chopin Institute’s YouTube channel, we present an excerpt from her interview with Krystian Zimerman from October 31, 2024. The legendary winner of the 1975 Chopin Competition recounts how his life changed diametrically overnight after the results were announced – he was inundated with offers to perform around the world – but also about his artistic friendships and authority figures, including Witold Lutosławski, Leonard Bernstein, and Artur Rubinstein. Zimerman’s reflections on the outstanding level of contemporary young pianists, music criticism, and the importance of connecting with audiences top his story up. 

The interview can be viewed here.

See all

    NEWS

    10/11/2025

    Outdoor exhibition: Poster competition for the 19th Chopin Competition

    During the Chopin Competition, Warsaw becomes, as Jerzy Waldorff wrote, ‘the most extraordinary city in the world, enchanted and intoxicated by music’.

    NEWS

    10/19/2025

    From what scores does the orchestra perform Chopin’s concertos during the finals of the 19th Chopin Competition?

    During the current edition of the Chopin Competition, the orchestra is performing Chopin’s piano concertos using scores prepared by the research and editorial team of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute. 

Competition LogoChopin Competition

International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition

Ministry of Culture and National Heritage

Funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage

Edition 2025

  • Home

  • Newsroom

  • Awards

  • Jury

  • Calendar

  • Tickets

  • Regulations

  • Accompanying Events

  • Compositions

Information

  • For Competitors

  • Press Office

  • About Competition

Multimedia

  • Videos

  • Photos

  • Audio

  • Chopin Courier

Organiser & partners

  • Institute

  • Partners

  • Privacy Policy

  • Contact