A preliminary round of the Chopin International Piano Competition begins in Warsaw on Monday.

Out of 353 pianists who had sent their applications in the form of DVD recordings, 209 have been selected to perform in Warsaw over the next two weeks. They represent 38 countries. The youngest entrant is seventeen. There are twenty five Poles in the preliminary round.

An international jury, chaired by Polish pianist Andrzej Jasiński, will select eighty pianists who will compete for the top prizes of the Chopin Competition which begins on 2 October.

The event, one of the most prestigious music competitions in the world, is organized by the National Chopin Institute. Its director, Andrzej Sułek, told a press conference in Warsaw that the jury of this year’s competition will consist of concert pianists rather than piano teachers, as was the case on previous occasions.

For the first time in the history of the music competitions worldwide, the number of points awarded to every participant by each jury member will be made public.

The winners will be offered engagements for concerts and recitals in the world’s most prestigious venues and with leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, he said.

The Chopin Competition in Warsaw is held every five years. The 2005 winner was Poland’s Rafal Blechacz. Previous winners include Martha Argerich, Garrick Ohlsson and Krystian Zimerman. (mk)