Canadian pianist Kevin Chen gained international recognition after winning first prize at the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition in Budapest in 2021, followed by first prize at the Concours de Genève in 2022.
A victory at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in Tel Aviv in 2023 followed this. Not to be outdone, Chen recently won second prize at the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2025, at the age of 20.
The Chopin Institute described Chen as displaying “astonishing artistic maturity,” singling out his second-stage performance of Chopin’s Études Op. 10. The Institute’s assessment was borne out by the exceptionally strong support Chen received from the 17-member jury.
Kevin Chen (Photo by Anne-Laure Lechat)
He may well have been the pianist whose reputation grew most dramatically during the competition.
Kevin Chen will return to Warsaw to perform at the opening concert of the 22nd International Chopin and His Europe Music Festival in August 2026. He graciously shared his time for a brief interview with Interlude.
Kevin Chen at the 2025 Chopin Piano Competition (Final Stage)
Returning to Warsaw
We began by asking Chen what it felt like to return to the same stage so soon after the competition, now as a laureate rather than a competitor. Kevin explained:
“I had been on this stage before the competition, but the atmosphere certainly felt much different as a competitor. I’m sure that returning to this stage, now with the experience of the competition, will bring back many memories.
Even landing at Chopin Airport is very symbolic and evokes that unmistakable feeling of Chopin’s beloved homeland every time! But it is reassuring to play with familiar people and to know that the performance is no longer in a competition context.”
Chopin has always been Chen’s favourite composer, and the competition seems to have deepened that connection. “I cannot remember when I first came into contact with his music, but it must have been very early on, as I feel like his works were always present. I can say that I now feel in some sense closer to Chopin after going through the competition and all the preparation leading up to it.”
The Chopin Competition creates an intense atmosphere and attracts a passionate and knowledgeable audience. How does that compare to other major venues have you played?
Kevin Chen (Photo by Fabrice Umiglia)
“To be honest,” Chen explained, “I think this contributes to a large part of the stress and perhaps even the prestige surrounding this competition.”
Of course, performing in a competition feels much different from performing in a concert, so I think it is only fair to compare the atmosphere to that of other competitions. The biggest difference would probably be that the repertoire is exclusively Chopin, so it is not surprising that a significant portion of audience members would know the pieces and perhaps have certain thoughts on interpretation.”
Kevin Chen at the 2025 Chopin Piano Competition (Final Stage)
During the competition, you intentionally avoided social media and broadcasts. How did this shape your experience across all stages of the competition?
Chen replied that he “avoided the broadcast to the extent that he would not even look at the livestreams of the announcements of the results. Because this competition has such a big following, people can leave all sorts of comments and opinions on every aspect of it, many of which contradict each other.
I did not want to be affected by this overwhelming discourse, especially on social media, where during that period every post seemed to be about the competition. That also means that while the competition was ongoing, I didn’t listen to any other competitors, which helped me to focus on my own preparations.”
In the months since October 2025, how has your life changed in terms of opportunities, expectations, and daily practice?
Kevin Chen
“My schedule is busier than before,” Chen said, “but I don’t think it is necessary to raise my expectations.
The goal of performing is to share the experience with others, and participating in a competition doesn’t change that. Of course, the opportunities will probably continue to grow with time, but I think it is more important to maintain a steady view of everything.”
Interlude will be on site for the 22nd International “Chopin and his Europe” Festival in 2026, and we are very much looking forward to Kevin Chen’s performance of Chopin’s Piano Concerto in F minor, Op. 21, with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal under the direction of Rafael Payare.
https://festiwal.nifc.pl/en/2026/kalendarium
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