Eric Lu crowned champion at 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw

American-Chinese pianist Eric Lu has won the top prize at the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, one of the world’s most prestigious contests for classical pianists.

Lu, 27, triumphed over a field of elite competitors, with Canadian-Chinese pianist Kevin Chen placing second and China’s Wang Zitong taking third place.

Born in the United States to a mother from Shanghai, Lu is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He studied under several renowned mentors, including Dorothy Shi, a former pianist of China’s Central Philharmonic Orchestra, and the acclaimed American-Chinese pianist Yin Chengzong.

In the final round, Lu performed Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantasy in A-flat major, Op. 61, and the Piano Concerto in F minor, Op. 21, earning high praise from both the jury and the audience.

Meanwhile, Wang received the Krystian Zimerman Award for the best performance of a sonata, while 17-year-old Lyu Tianyao, another contestant from China, placed fourth and won the Warsaw Philharmonic Award for the best concerto performance.