The 4th Jeune Chopin International Piano Competition took place in Lugano, Switzerland, from March 28 to 31, with the selection of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano as the official instrument for the competition.
One of Kawai’s most esteemed piano technician, MPA (Master Piano Artisan) Naoto Ichikawa from Kawai Europe, also played a pivotal role at the Epinal International Piano Competition. He and a piano technician apprentice from Japan, Shunta Amano, diligently worked on not only crafting the sound, but also contestant support through active communication.
The 4th Jeune Chopin International Piano Competition: Final Results
Category I (~12 years old)
1st Prize | Antonio PAVAN | Italy |
Katherine HIBBS | Singapore / Switzerland | |
2nd Prize | Khloe WU | Canada |
Elizabeth Pinyan GUO | UK | |
3rd Prize | Aria ZHAO | USA |
Adam TARKO | Poland | |
Distinction | Yuliana BEZIAZYCHNA | Ukraine |
Siyuan PENG | China |
Category II (~15 years old)
1st Prize | Dillon Sze-Pui CHAN | Australia |
Martina MEOLA | Italy | |
2nd Prize | Luca NEWMAN | England |
3rd Prize | Deni KOKHANOVSKII | Russia |
Category III (~18 years old)
1st Prize | Ivan CHEPKIN | Russia |
2nd Prize | Franciszek GASIENIEC | Poland |
3rd Prize | Kenneth CHEN | Canada |
Comments from prize winners
■ 1st Prize winner of Category I – Antonio PAVAN:
– How did you feel about winning the prize?
I felt that the jury’s critique definitely helped me to grow. I hope to actually incorporate it in the future. I am really happy to have won the award.
– What are your impressions of the SK-EX full concert grand piano?
The piano was really great and very easy to play. At home I play a grand piano with heavy keys, but this Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano has lighter keys and felt very comfortable for me. Overall, I had a very good impression.
■ 2nd Prize winner of Category II – Luca NEWMAN:
– How did you feel about winning the prize?
The practice room was well equipped and I was able to prepare well before the competition. The contestants and staff were very friendly and the environment was pleasant.
– What are your impressions of the SK-EX full concert grand piano?
The keys were light and very easy to play.
■ 1st Prize winner of Category III – Ivan CHEPKIN:
– How did you feel about winning the prize?
I am very happy for this opportunity. I hope that this experience will lead to a new stage in my concert and creative work.
– What are your impressions of the SK-EX full concert grand piano?
I really enjoyed playing this instrument and it was literally everything I wanted to express.
About the 4th Jeune Chopin International Piano Competition
The Jeune Chopin International Piano Competition is organized by the Frédéric Chopin Institute in Switzerland. The aim of International Piano Competition Jeune Chopin is to re-discover the music of Frédéric Chopin by young performers from all over the world and present themselves in a front of the greatest, globally-renowned Chopin interpreters, who have been and still are invited to judge at the great Frederic Chopin International Competition in Warsaw.