Presentation of the 19th Chopin Competition in London

A recital by Martín García García highlighted the presentation of the 19th Chopin Competition at Westminster Cathedral Hall in London. At the event, jointly organised by the Chopin Institute and the Chopin Society UK, Chopin Institute spokesman Aleksander Laskowski spoke about the new elements of the rules and the plans to celebrate the centenary of the Chopin Competition in 2027.

Dmitry Sitkovetsky spoke about the prize he founded for the best performance of a ballad, which he wishes to honour his mother Bella Davidovich, winner of the first prize in 1949. Martin Garcia Garcia recalled the excitement he felt when he took to the stage as a participant in the Competition: ‘I felt as if a thick fog surrounded me, it was just me and the music. And the Chopin Competition completely changed my life’.