Most of the submitted pianists are from the Far East. The Competition Office received 88 applications from Japan (about 31 more than in the last competition), 77 from China and Taiwan, and as many as 56 from Polish pianists. There are also large groups from South Korea – 47, Russia – 35 and the United States – 34 applications.
The applications submitted by pianists along with video recordings of their performances for the first stage of the competition will be judged by the Admissions Committee chaired by Prof. Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń. The names of the 160 pianists who qualify for the public selection stage – which will take place between 13th and 24th April – will be announced on 9th March, 2015. Polish pianists can qualify for the October competition without having to go through the selection process by coming first or second in the Polish National Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition which takes place between 31st January and 8th February, 2015.
According to the rules, 80 pianists born between 1985 and 1999 will qualify for the competition. They will be judged by a jury chaired by Prof. Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń and featuring many former competition winners such as Adam Harasiewicz (1st place in 1955), Martha Argerich (1st place in 1965), Garrick Ohlsson (1st place in 1970), Dang Thai Son (1st place in 1980) and the youngest of the group, Yund Li (1st place in 2000), making his début as a juror.
The struggles of the competition can be followed around the world on a regular basis through live streaming video available on this website, as well as on a specially prepared application for mobile devices.
Source: press materials, ed. tk, transl. szm, December 2014