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02/04/2026
“Winner of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition 2025”
Frédéric Chopin: Waltz n° 7 in C‑Sharp minor, opus 64 n° 2 – Nocturne n° 7 in C‑Sharp minor, opus 27 n° 1 – Mazurkas, opus 56 – Barcarolle in F‑Sharp major, opus 60 – Polonaise n° 9 in B‑Flat major, opus 71 n° 2 – Piano Sonata n° 2 in B‑Flat minor “Marche funèbre”, opus 35
Eric Lu (piano)
Live Recording: Philharmonic Concert Hall, Warsaw, Poland (October 6‑16, 2025) – 61’55
Deutsche Grammophon 4868297 (Distributed by Universal Music) – Booklet in English, Polish, German and Russian
Concert pianist Eric Lu took 1st Prize at the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition (FCPC) 2025, and his solid performance was recorded for release on Deutsche Grammophon. The prestigious competition takes place every five years. It was established in 1927 with previous winners including many of the world’s most noted concert pianists.
For the 2025 competition, 62 pianists were chosen from a record number of 642 applicants who advanced to the final rounds of the three‑week competition. Eric Lu is a graduate of The Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. He previously competed in the 2015 FCPC Competition, and in 2018 he took 1st Prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition. The top three winners in Warsaw last year were: First Prize: Eric Lu (USA); Second Prize: Kevin Chen (Canada); Third Prize: Zitong Wang (China).
Reaching the finals in the 2025 Competition was Georgian pianist, David Khrikuli, whose interpretive style leaned into Chopin’s dramatic romanticism that has ignited emotions for nearly two centuries; however, some judges were later surprised that Khrikuli still didn’t place in the top six rankings. The audience gave him a standing ovation for his fiery, emotional performance. Undoubtedly, a case can be made that Chopin had a robust expressive playing. The FCPC is the only international competition devoted to a single composer.
The controversy wasn’t directed specifically at Lu, but the fact that the Georgian pianist (Khrikuli) didn’t even place in the slate of “honorable mentions”. It’s not called the “Olympics of Piano Competitions” for nothing. Competition officials addressed the Khrikuli controversy by reminding fans that the competition has fielded many similar protests in the past.
Virtuosos from Vladimir Horowitz to Martha Argerich have asserted their interpretive artistry of Chopin’s music invites. Lu is among a generation of pianists who have leaned into its pliable agency.
Putting aside this controversy, Mr. Lu’s performance assessment in this live recording has its strengths as a Chopin virtuoso. They are clearly apparent, with a focus on technical clarity and palpable nuanced artistry.
Eric Lu opens the concert with one of the most beguiling dances in all of the classical canon: Chopin’s Waltz in C‑Sharp minor. Mr. Lu follows with supple and introspective articulation of shadowy moods inside Nocturne n° 7 with its lacing lullaby that gives way to Chopin’s dramatic expressionism. Then onto the sensual charms of Chopin’s three Mazurkas Op. 56 with its seducing “Allegro”, conjuring the canonical romantic era, followed by what can now be recognized as proto jazz improv that’s illuminated in the “Vivace” that leads to the prismatic lyricism of the “Moderato”.
Next, Lu’s pacing renders a simmering reading of the vibrant Barcarolle and Chopin’s journeying rhythms that give way to a fiery decrescendo. Lu then conjures the discreet charms of Chopin’s Polonaise with all its witty and wistful imagery, making one’s imagination “dance” while Lu figuratively “dances” over the keys.
Each finalist must play one of Chopin’s two Piano Sonatas. Mr. Lu chose the Piano Sonata n° 2 as his concert finale. Lu’s lithe “Grave – Doppio movimento” sets the stage for Lu’s fleet precision of the subsequent “Scherzo” that melts the mood into the sober “Marche funèbre. Lento”, the most famous dirge in the Romantic vault, followed by the “Finale”.
Eric Lu’s technical mastery and stylistic restraint was not impressive to many at the competition. According to the press coverage, there were clear favorites among pianists which emphasized more expressive musicality than Mr. Lu.
That aside, all of Eric Lu’s interpretive prowess is present on this live recording with audience reactions drawing respectful but “unenthusiastic” applause. Contrastingly, Georgian David Khrikuli’s “emotional depth” drew a standing ovation. Whatever the pianist ranking inside The 2025 Warsaw Competition, it was inspirational, showcasing the world’s finest contemporary classical pianists. They are all winners to be on that stage which is so needed in this increasingly tone-deaf world.
Lewis J. Whittington
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