Photo/Illutration Shiori Kuwahara performs in the final round of the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw on Oct. 20. ((C) W. Grzedzinski/NIFC)

Japanese musician Shiori Kuwahara tied for the fourth-place prize in the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition, jurors announced on Oct. 21.

Placing ahead of her and China’s Lyu Tianyao were American Eric Lu in first, Canadian Kevin Chen in second, and China’s Wang Zitong in third. 

“This competition is just one milestone. My true journey as an artist begins now,” said Kuwahara, who celebrated her 30th birthday during the competition.

The prestigious competition celebrating the Polish composer is held every five years in Warsaw and is regarded as a gateway to international acclaim for emerging artists.

This year, 11 musicians were chosen as finalists after three rigorous preliminary rounds, with Kuwahara performing Chopin’s “Polonaise-Fantasy” and “Piano Concerto No. 1” in the final round.

“The maestro and orchestra supported me warmly and powerfully, it was a truly happy moment,” she said. 

Born in Tokyo in 1995, Kuwahara studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts and later at the Berlin University of the Arts.

She has consistently done well in major competitions, including reaching the final round of Belgium’s Queen Elisabeth Competition earlier this year.

Kuwahara rated her performance in Warsaw as “around 80 out of 100,” saying she was able to realize much of what she had envisioned.

Asked about her artistic aspirations, she expressed a desire to create moments where “music and the heart resonate,” especially through Chopin’s emotionally intricate works.

Japan’s Miyu Shindo also made it to the finals for the first time but did not place. However, the 23-year-old delivered a deeply expressive performance of the same two pieces as Kuwahara to enthusiastic applause.

After being knocked out after the third round of the previous competition in 2021, Shindo was thrilled to finally perform a concerto—an opportunity reserved for the finals.

“I had a strong desire to play the concerto this time. I’m so happy I made it,” Shindo said.

(This article was written by Kazuo Teranishi in Warsaw and Chiho Yashiro in Tokyo.)

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