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18th Chopin International Piano Competition: Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano selected by 2nd prize winner Alexander Gadjiev & 6th prize winner J J Jun Li Bui
Italian/Slovenian pianist Alexander Gadjiev has been awarded the 2nd prize at the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition held in Warsaw, Poland from October 3rd~20th 2021, following a series of performances playing the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano. Canadian pianist J J Jun Li Bui, who also selected the SK-EX for the duration of the competition, has been awarded the 6th prize.
Held every five years, the Chopin International is one of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions, attracting prominent pianists from all four corners of the globe. In addition to prize winners Alexander Gadjiev and J J Jun Li Bui, South Korean pianist Hyuk Lee also performed in the final using the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX.
18th Chopin International Piano Competition: Final Results
| 1st Prize | Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu | Canada | |
| 2nd Prize | Alexander Gadjiev | Italy/Slovenia | Shigeru Kawai SK-EX |
| Kyohei Sorita | Japan | ||
| 3rd Prize | Martin Garcia Garcia | Spain | |
| 4th Prize | Aimi Kobayashi | Japan | |
| Jakub Kuszlik | Poland | ||
| 5th Prize | Leonora Armellini | Italy | |
| 6th Prize | J J Jun Li Bui | Canada | Shigeru Kawai SK-EX |
| Finalist | Kamil Pacholec | Poland | |
| Finalist | Hao Rao | China | |
| Finalist | Eva Gevorgyan | Russia/Armenia | |
| Finalist | Hyuk Lee | South Korea | Shigeru Kawai SK-EX |
| Concerto Award | Martin Garcia Garcia | ||
| Sonata Award | Alexander Gadjiev | ||
| Mazurka Award | Jakub Kuszlik |
1st Prize
Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu, Canada
2nd Prize
Alexander Gadjiev, Italy/Slovenia (Shigeru Kawai SK-EX)
Kyohei Sorita, Japan
3rd Prize
Martin Garcia Garcia, Spain
4th Prize
Aimi Kobayashi, Japan
Jakub Kuszlik, Poland
5th Prize
Leonora Armellini, Italy
6th Prize
J J Jun Li Bui, Canada (Shigeru Kawai SK-EX)
Finalists
Kamil Pacholec, Poland
Hao Rao, China
Eva Gevorgyan, Russia/Armenia
Hyuk Lee, South Korea (Shigeru Kawai SK-EX)
Special Prizes
Concerto Award: Martin Garcia Garcia
Sonata Award: Alexander Gadjiev
Mazurka Award: Jakub Kuszlik
■ About the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano
Unveiled in 2001 as the flagship instrument of the Shigeru Kawai line, the SK-EX concert grand piano is hand-crafted in limited numbers following a unique ‘prototyping’ creation process. In order to achieve the supreme range of expression required in a concert piano, each instrument utilises a variety of carefully selected materials, with premium aged spruce soundboards. Shigeru Kawai instruments adopt the advanced Millennium III keyboard action, featuring extended wooden keys and advanced ABS Carbon action parts, providing superior speed and responsiveness than conventional wooden action parts, allowing pianists to express a greater range of feeling and emotion in their performance.
Shigeru Kawai brand website:
https://www.shigerukawai.jp/en/