The final round of the 2025 edition of the London International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists takes place at Ognisko Polskie – the Polish Hearth on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.

On Monday 3 March (semi-final) and Tuesday 4 March 2025 (final) 38 exceptionally young pianists from all over the world, who have made it through the preliminary rounds, will be competing live.

They will compete in the following categories:

• A, up to age 11;
• B, up to age 14;
• C, up to age 16;
• D, up to age 19.

A Gala Concert will be held in the evening on 4 March 2024. Tickets are now on sale for the prestigious evening event.

The competition is open to the public to attend for FREE during the daytime sessions.

The London International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists was founded by Artur Haftman, internationally acclaimed concert pianist and winner of 25 International Piano Competitions, Jenny Lee, a classical music education expert and Director of SIMA Classics Masterclass and Education, and Piotr Michalik, Director and Executive Committee Member of Ognisko Polskie.

The competition aims to promote the history and legacy of the greatest Polish composer, Frédéric Chopin, and provide emerging young pianists with the unique opportunity to showcase their talent, gain international recognition, and connect with leading figures in the classical music world. It is one of the most respected events in the classical music calendar, attracting talented young pianists from across the globe, representing 20 different countries, including many participants from Poland. It is not only an opportunity to compete, but also to learn, grow, and build lasting connections within the classical music community.

Another objective of the competition is to support young talent, irrespective of their race, gender, sexuality, or financial background. It provides competitors with opportunities to showcase their abilities and guides them on the path to becoming professional musicians, fostering the further development of their musical careers.

For the 2025 edition of the London International Chopin Competition, the distinguished jury members include:

• Professor Piotr Paleczny, prize-winner and jury member of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw;
• Professor John Rink, professor at the University of Cambridge;
• Lady Rose Cholmondeley, President of the Chopin Society in the UK;
• Professor Murray McLachlan, Head of Keyboard at Chetham’s School of Music and Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music;
• Professor Deniz Arman Gelenbe, Professor at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance;
• Professor William Fong, Professor at the Royal Academy of Music and Head of Keyboard at the Purcell School;
• Artistic Director, Artur Haftman, winner of 25 international piano competitions.

The organisers received over 100 applications from 18 different countries (including applicants from Poland), and the standard of performances was exceptionally high. From these applications, the jury has selected a maximum of 11 applicants per category, who will compete in the semifinal and final rounds on 3rd and 4th March 2025 at Ognisko Polskie, in South Kensington, London.

All schedules can be found here.

On the evening of 4th March, there will be the Finale Gala Concert of the London International Chopin Competition 2025. Young pianists who have competed in the final round of the competition will be awarded prizes, and the 1st prize winners of each category will compete for two additional awards that evening. The audience will vote for the best performer of the evening, and the jury will also vote for the best performer.

WHEN: Tuesday, 4 March 2025, 7 pm. for 7:30 pm.

WHERE: Ognisko Polskie – The Polish Hearth, 55 Princes Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 2PN