Jeune Chopin

Jeune Chopin International Piano Competition for Children and Youth

Jeune Chopin

The Frédéric Chopin Institute in Switzerland organized the fourth edition of the International Jeune Chopin Competition for Young Pianists, held in Lugano (Switzerland), in the Auditorio Stelio Molo from 28th to 31st of March 2025. Martha Argerich presided over the fourth edition which was dedicated to the memory of Janusz Olejniczak, Alexis Golovine and the late Maurizio Pollini. For two intensive days, young interpreters have presented their virtuosic craftsmanship at Lugano’s renowned Auditorio Stelio Molo in front of eyes of the jury members. 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. Our competition aims to become a certain bridge leading young interpreters into the stunning yet extremely demanding polish competition. We are honored to have received patronage from Polish National Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw and Martha Argerich.

Magdalena Hirsz // director of the competition
President of Chopin Institute in Switzerland

Jury

Martha Argerich

Martín García García

Cédric Pescia

Magdalena Hirsz

Alberto Nosè

When & Where

The competition was officially inaugurated on the 28th of March 2025 in the Auditorio Stelio Molo by Martha Argerich, Mischa Maisky and other members of the jury. Young interpreters have presented their virtuosic craft from the 28th to the 31st of March in the Auditorio Stelio Molo in Lugano surrounded by beautiful landscapes of the Lugano Prealps and Lake Lugano.

For many years, Lugano has been home of Progetto Martha Argerich, a unique cultural platform, which has created possibility for renowned artists, virtuoso-instrumentalists from around the globe to cooperate, share their knowledge, craft and artistic visions. That has resulted in unique interpretations being born and outstanding collective artistic output recorded for EMI/Universal. Martha Argerich’s initiative has shaped the importance of Lugano on the cultural map of the world. We are deeply honoured to hold the IV edition of Jeune Chopin there, in Lugano, under Martha Argerich’s patronage and with her guidance.

Frédéric Chopin loved bel canto above all forms of operatic vocal expression. His work, his compositions convey that very technique. We hope that by being so close to Italy, the spirits of legendary bel canto interpreters have spurred young artists in discovering the most-cherished interpretational techniques of Chopin, required to perform his works faithfully.

Opening

On the 28th of March 2025, the drama, romanticism and outstandingly excelled piano craft will met together in the Auditorio Stelio Molo. The jurors of the IV International Piano competition Jeune Chopin, guided by the formidable diva of the pianofote – Martha Argerich – have evoked the memories of the ephemeral charm which once had captivated XIX century ball halls in Paris, intimate study rooms of Chopin and Debussy and the profound imaginative paths of harmony.
Mischa Maisky, Martha’s decades-long partner and one of the most important cellists of our time, has joined the musical celebration with a duo masterpiece of F. Chopin, with M. Argerich on the piano.

The programme:

Cédric Pescia
J. S. Bach : French Suite No. 5 in G major BWV 816 [1722]

Martin Garcia Garcia
Frédéric Chopin : Impromptu in G-flat major Op. 51 No. 3 [1842]
Impromptu in A-flat major Op. 29 No. 1 [1837]
Impromptu in F-sharp major Op. 36 No. 2 [1838-39]

Alberto Nosè
Frédéric Chopin : Nocturne in C minor Op.48 No. 1 [1841]
Ballade in F minor Op. 52 No. 4 [1843]

Martha Argerich & Magdalena Hirsz
Claude Debussy : Six Epigraphes Antiques, 4 hands [1914-1915]

— Intermission —

Magdalena Hirsz
Frédéric Chopin: Mazurkas Op.67 & Op.68 [1826-1849]

Martha Argerich
Frédéric Chopin : Préludes Op.28 [1838-1839]

Martha Argerich & Mischa Maisky
Frédéric Chopin : Introduction & polonaise brillante in C major, Op.3 [1829]