Back

Bydgoszcz, Poland

Grand Finale at the Paderewski

Competitions

The 13th Edition of the prestigious Piano Competition celebrates its 2025 Winners

The 2025 edition marked the 13th iteration of the prestigious International Ignacy Jan Paderewski Piano Competition. Established in 1961 and held triennially since 1998, the competition honors the legacy of its namesake, Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860–1941) -  world-renowned pianist, composer, and a pivotal political figure who served as the first Prime Minister of independent Poland in 1918.
After a number of preliminary auditions in Warsaw, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York, Vienna and Sacile, Italy, this year’s live rounds were a two-week marathon that saw 43 pianists vie for one of the  piano world’s coveted titles. When the results were announced, it was Roh Hyunjin, aged 24, who took the First Prize, after a stunning performance of Beethoven’s “Emperor”-Concerto. The second prize was awarded to Elia Cecino, 24, with third prize going to Pin-Hong Lin, also 24. Fourth place was secured by another exceptional Korean pianist, Jiyoung Kim, while fifth prize was awarded to Shuhei Aoshima.

The journey to this moment was long and strenuous. From an initial pool of 234 applicants from 35 countries, a select 43 pianists from 13 nations arrived in Poland. They faced a demanding four-stage audition process, beginning with a free program and progressing to the mandatory works of Ignacy Jan Paderewski himself—the virtuoso pianist, composer, and first Prime Minister of independent Poland. The semi-finals introduced another challenge with Krzysztof Herdzin’s Arrectis Auribus, performed with the Capella Bydgostiensis, while the grand finale saw the remaining artists performing concertos with the Pomeranian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra under Jakub Chrenowicz.

Roh Hyunjin, First Prize

For the winner, Roh Hyunjin—a graduate of Seoul National University now at the New England Conservatory—the victory continues a notable trend of Korean success here, following winners like Moon Ji-young and Lee Hyuk. 

The competition, organized by the centenary-old Paderewski Music Association, solidifies Bydgoszcz’s status as a European music capital. As Prof. Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń reflects, “The figure of Ignacy Jan Paderewski is a great inspiration for the young pianist... The competition dedicated to his memory is designed as an impulse in the development of a young artist.” This sentiment is echoed by pianist Arie Vardi, who notes, “Poland is a country where piano music is indeed a national pride. Hats off to the Paderewski Competition for representing this great passion.” As the new laureates step onto the world stage, they carry with them not just a prize, but the living spirit of Paderewski himself.
 

Elia Cecino, Second Prize

Pin-Hong Lin, Third Prize

Prizes
1st prize: Roh Hyunjin (23), Boston
2nd prize: Elia Cecino (24), Venice
3rd prize: Pin-Hong Lin (24), Bloomington

Jury
Piotr Paleczny (Chair), Akemi Alink, Philippe Giusiano, Jan Jiracek von Arnim, Olga Kern, Alexander Kobrin, Ronan O’Hora, Ewa Pobłocka, Paweł Wakarecy

Artists
Paderewski Pomeranian Philharmonic Orchestra/ Jakub Chrenowicz, Conductor

 

©WFIMC2025