December Issue of Chopin Magazine Highlights 19th International Piano Competition in Warsaw

Special Issue on the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition

The December issue of the piano enthusiasts' magazine Chopin will be released on November 18, 2025, featuring a major special on the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition. This prestigious event, held every five years in Warsaw, Poland, serves as a crucial stepping stone for young pianists worldwide, attracting considerable attention from music lovers. Our team at Chopin has meticulously reported on this competition, presenting interviews with participants and judges, alongside engaging performance reports that capture the excitement at the venue.

The Chopin International Piano Competition has evolved significantly over the years, especially with recent editions being streamed live on YouTube, allowing global audiences to participate in the thrill and fervor of this leading music event. The 19th competition, which took place in October 2025, gained particularly wide attention with Eric Lu's victory. He returned to the stage for the first time in ten years after finishing fourth in the previous competition and took the top prize, generating a buzz that resonated across the music community.

From Japan, 13 talented pianists participated in this year’s competition, with Shiori Kuwabara earning the fourth prize and Miyu Shindo making it to the finals. In keeping with our commitment to comprehensive coverage, Chopin has remained dedicated to local reporting since our magazine's inception, consistently delivering detailed insights into each edition of the competition. The anticipation from our readers for this special issue has been a hallmark of our publication, firmly establishing it as a highly anticipated event every five years.

In addition to our print content, we've also enhanced our coverage through our dedicated YouTube channel, which shared daily highlights and interviews with contestants immediately after their performances. During the competition span from October 5 to 23, we posted 52 promotional videos, showcasing the vibrancy of the event and providing firsthand comments from performers that enhance the reading experience.

Special Features in This Issue:

- Interviews with the top six winners and finalists, along with special award recipients
- Reviews of the finals
- Overall assessments from the first and second preliminary rounds
- Comprehensive reviews of the 20 contestants in the third preliminary
- Interviews with the judges
- Conversations with Japanese competitors
- Interviews with all participants from the first preliminary round
- Reports on piano manufacturers (Kawai, Steinway, Fazioli, Bechstein, Yamaha)
- Insights from the press office
- A photo gallery from Warsaw and interviews with attendees
- Insightful interviews with Aimi Kobayashi and Kyohei Sorita

Statement from the Company President:

Juri Izawa, the President of Hannah Co., expressed her excitement about delivering this special issue showcasing the incredible performances of talented pianists on the grand stage of the International Chopin Piano Competition. Our December issue will include more pages and an expanded color section compared to regular editions, reflecting the passionate coverage by our experienced writers. The comments from Shiori Kuwabara during her interview, pointing out that “piano performance thrives only because there are listeners,” resonate with our magazine, which exists thanks to our readers. With the 500th issue in September marking a milestone, the importance of our dedicated readership has become increasingly significant this year. We, the editorial team, are committed to enhancing the enjoyment of our readers and look forward to their continued support.