Calgary’s Kevin Chen, a 20-year-old piano prodigy, has earned the silver medal at the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw — one of the most prestigious classical music contests in the world.
Chen finished second behind American pianist Eric Lu, who claimed the gold medal after three days of final performances with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Andrey Boreyko. China’s Zitong Wang took the bronze.
The results were announced early Monday following lengthy deliberations by a 17-member jury chaired by Garrick Ohlsson, himself a past Chopin Competition winner. Chen receives a silver medal and €40,000 (about $65,000 CAD), while Lu earns €60,000 and the gold medal from the President of Poland.
Out of 84 pianists from around the world, five Canadians reached the main competition this year — Victoria Wong, Ryan Wang, Eric Guo, Athena Deng, and Chen.
A Rising Star in Classical Music
Born and raised in Calgary, Chen began playing piano at age five and made his orchestral debut with the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra at seven. By eight, he had already appeared on CBC Music’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30” list.
Now based in Hanover, Germany, Chen has rapidly become one of the brightest young pianists on the international scene. His recent victories include:
Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition (Tel Aviv, 2023) – First Prize ($51,000)
Geneva International Music Competition (2022) – First Prize ($27,000)
Franz Liszt International Piano Competition (Budapest, 2021) – First Prize ($45,000)
For the Chopin final, Chen performed Chopin’s Piano Concerto in E Minor, Op. 11, captivating audiences with his balance of precision and emotion.
Continuing Canada’s Legacy
Canadian pianists have developed a proud tradition at the Chopin Competition. Bruce Liu of Montreal won gold in 2021, Charles Richard-Hamelin of Joliette earned silver in 2015, and Dang Thai Son, a Vietnamese Canadian, made history with his gold win in 1980.
Founded in 1927, the Chopin Competition is held every five years to honour the composer’s legacy. Its winners — including legends like Martha Argerich, Krystian Zimerman, and Seong-Jin Cho — often launch global concert careers.
For Kevin Chen, this silver medal marks another major milestone — and positions him as the next Canadian pianist poised for international stardom.
