Rafal Blechacz

In October 2005, Rafał Blechacz emerged as the unquestionable winner of the 15th Frédéric Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland (to underscore his distinguished performance among the remaining Competition participants the international jury decided not to award the 2nd prize). All the special prizes of the Competition— for performances of the mazurkas, polonaise, concerto, and sonata — went to him as well. He also won the Audience Award.
 
Born in 1985 in Nakło nad Notecią, in Poland’s Bydgoszcz province, he began his piano lessons at the age of five. At the early stages of his career he took part in many music festivals and competitions that awarded him with prestigious prizes. His 2005 victory in Warsaw opened for him the doors of the world’s most renowned concert halls and garnered him invitations to the most acclaimed music festivals. His appearances generate admiration and enthusiasm from music critics and concert goers around the world, and he has performed with the best symphonic orchestras under the direction of such conductors as Charles Dutoit, Valery Gergiev, and Kent Nagano.
 
Blechacz records exclusively with Deutsche Grammophon, and his first CD with all the Preludes by Frédéric Chopin went platinum in Poland as early as the second week of sale. His 2010 recording of Chopin’s concertos with the Royal Concertgebouw achieved double platinum status. All of his records have garnered critical and popular praise.
 
Rafał Blechacz has been a Steinway Artist since 2007.
 

Photo: Felix Broede DG