Eric Lu, a 27-year-old pianist from Massachusetts, has won the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. This victory marks a historic achievement, as Lu is the first American to win the top prize since 1970. The competition, held every five years, is renowned as one of the most prestigious events in the classical music world, often referred to as the “Olympics of piano competitions.”
Lu’s performance impressed the international jury, which was chaired by American pianist Garrick Ohlsson. In the final round, he performed Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantasy in A-flat major, Op. 61, and Piano Concerto in F minor, Op. 21, accompanied by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Andrzej Boreyko. His expressive interpretation and technical prowess earned him the €60,000 cash prize and a gold medal funded by the President of Poland.
The competition attracted over 640 applicants from around the world, with 162 advancing to the preliminaries and 11 reaching the finals. Lu triumphed over strong contenders, including Kevin Chen of Canada and Zitong Wang of China, who placed second and third, respectively.
Born in Massachusetts to Taiwanese and Chinese parents, Lu began piano lessons at the age of six. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and has previously won the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2018. Lu has performed with major orchestras across the globe and has released recordings with Warner Classics. Following his recent success, he is set to release an album featuring highlights from his performances at the Chopin Competition, in collaboration with Deutsche Grammophon.
Expressing his gratitude, Lu described the victory as “a dream come true,” thanking Chopin enthusiasts worldwide for their support. His achievement not only brings honor to his heritage but also reaffirms the global appeal and enduring legacy of Chopin’s music.
The 2025 Chopin Competition also highlighted the growing prominence of Asian pianists, with Lu, Chen, and Wang securing the top three positions. This trend reflects the increasing influence of Asian musicians in the classical music scene.
