"Classical music is not entertainment, and I feel viciously strong about that. Classical music is forever. Entertainment is something that is here today, and may be gone tomorrow."
Van Cliburn, 1952 KF Chopin Competition Winner
The 67th
Kosciuszko Foundation
Chopin Piano Competition
February 5-27, 2022
A Hybrid Competition
Featuring Recitals Online and
Live Performances in Washington D.C.
Final Round with Members of the
National Philharmonic and
Maestro Piotr Gajewski
Preliminary And Competition Jury Includes Akiko Ebi, Piotr Gajewski,
Claire Huangci, Krzysztof Jabłonski,
Stanislav Khristenko, Alexander Kobrin
And Piotr Paleczny
Ages 18-30
Application Deadline
Sunday December 19, 2021
The Kosciuszko Foundation
2025 O Street NW
Washington D.C., 20036
© Dario Acosta
Kosciuszko Foundation
Chopin Piano Competition
Garrick Ohlsson
Honorary Patron
Winner of the 8th Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, 1970.
I send my best wishes to the participants and the organizers of the Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin
Piano Competition 2022.
Chopin is the Rosetta Stone for pianism, and the Alpha and Omega for pianists.
To play Chopin well, the player needs impeccable physical skills, deep and wide tonal sensitivity, musicianship to deal with complex structures, and a sense of magic. The pianist who can do all this is equipped to take on almost any challenge in the piano repertory.
I salute all those who take on this challenge. May this competition succeed and thrive, and bring deserved attention to wonderful young pianists.
KFCC 2022 Competition
The Kosciuszko Foundation's Chopin Piano Competition was established in 1949, in honor of the hundredth anniversary of the death of Frédéric Chopin. The inauguration took place at the Kosciuszko Foundation House in New York City, with Witold Malcuzynski as a guest artist, and Abram Chasins, composer and music director of the New York Times Radio Station, presiding. Over the years, many outstanding musicians have been associated with the competition including Van Cliburn, Ian Hobson, Daniel Pollak, Murray Perahia, Myung-whun Chung, Kevin Kenner, and Kirill Gerstein. Today, the Kosciuszko Foundation's Chopin Competition continues to encourage gifted young pianists to further their studies and to perform the works of Polish composers.
Competition Overview
The Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities representing a professional level of performance ages 18-30.
Preliminary, first, and second rounds are all online. Semifinal and final rounds are live in Washington D.C.
Preliminary Round: Video recording
20 minute recital
Results announced January 3, 2022
Saturday-Sunday February 5-6: First Round Online
20 minute solo recital video recording
Results announced Sunday February 6
Saturday-Sunday February 12-13: Second Round Online
30 minute solo recital video recording
Results announced Sunday February 13
Friday February 25: Semifinal Round Live Performance
50 minute solo recital at St. Ann Catholic Church in Washington D.C.
Saturday February 26: Rehearsal with Orchestra
Sunday February 27: Final Round Live Performance
Concerto performance with members of the National Philharmonic at St. Ann Catholic Church in Washington D.C.
First Round and Second Round must be video recordings made in a single take, and must be unedited.
All semifinalists will receive a stipend for travel expenses to Washington D.C. and will be placed with host families for the duration of the live competition.
Application Deadline
11:59 PM EST Sunday December 19, 2021
Van Cliburn, winner of the 1952 KF Chopin Piano Competition with KF Founder Stephen Mizwa.
Prizes & Awards
Cash Awards
1st - $5,000
2nd - $3,000
3rd - $2,000
Szymanowski Prize - $1,500
Other Prizes and Performances TBA
From left to right: Barbara Bernhardt, Jason Solounias, Jeffrey Swann, Martin Labazevitch, Krzysztof Jablonski, Jolanta Stefanska, and Piotr Paleczny at the Embassy of Poland in Washington D.C.
Notable Laureates
1952
1955
2006
1952
Repertoire
Preliminary Round 20 minute video recording
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One etude from Op.10 or Op.25
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One nocturne
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Free choice of any work(s) by Chopin
First Round 20 minute video recording
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One etude from Op.10 or Op.25
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One nocturne
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One waltz
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Free choice of any work(s) by Chopin
Second Round 30 minute video recording
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One polonaise
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Mazurkas, one complete opus
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Four consecutive preludes
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Free choice of any work(s) by Chopin
Semifinal Round 50 minute Live Performance
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A work(s) by Karol Szymanowski of at least 6 minutes. Individual movements are acceptable.
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Large work(s) of Chopin: Sonata/Ballade(s)/Scherzo(s), Fantasy, Barcarolle, etc.
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The remainder of the program can be decided by the contestant, but must consist of work(s) by Chopin.
The majority of the semifinal round program should be devoted to the music of Chopin.
Final Round Concerto Performance
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No.1 in E Minor OR
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No.2 in F Minor
All video recordings for the first and second online rounds must be unedited and works performed in sequence, in one video take, as in a live performance.
Apply
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Completed application form
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Age limit up to 30 years of age
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Age verification document: passport, state ID or any other official document
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Letter of recommendation from current or most recent teacher
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Biography of up to 300 words suitable for publicity including musical studies, academic institutions, participation in master classes, recent teachers, competitions attended, and awards received.
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YouTube link(s) of pre-screening performance. Links may be emailed separately on or before the December 19 deadline.
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Digital high resolution photo
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Non refundable application fee $150
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Applications are to be submitted no later than Sunday December 19, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST. Late applications will incur a $50 fee and will be accepted until December 26, 2021
Letter of recommendation, age verification document, and photo should be emailed to chopin@thekf.org
Meet The KFCC Team
Barbara Bernhardt
Kosciuszko Foundation Washington D.C. Director
Martin Labazevitch
Artistic Director
Jason Solounias
Competition Director
Jolanta Stefanska
Advancement Director
©Stephen Jaffe
Stanislav Khrsitenko
Media Coordinator
