The XV International Chopin Piano Competition (Polish: XV Międzynarodowy Konkurs Pianistyczny im. Fryderyka Chopina) was held from 2 to 24 October 2005 in Warsaw, organized by the Fryderyk Chopin Society. The competition was won by Rafał Blechacz of Poland, who prevailed against 80 competitors from 18 countries.[1]
This was the first competition that was completely broadcast on TV, radio and on the internet.[1]
For the first time, the competition introduced a preliminary round, as selecting participants from submitted recordings only was deemed not wholly reliable.[1]
In the most decisive showing in the history of the competition, Rafał Blechacz took First Prize and the special prizes for the best performance of a polonaise, mazurka, and concerto.[1] One of the judges, Piotr Paleczny, said that Blechacz "so outclassed the remaining finalists that no second prize could actually be awarded."[2] Another judge, John O'Conor, called Blechacz "one of the greatest artists I have had a chance to hear in my entire life".[3] Blechacz was the first Pole to win the prize since 1975, when Krystian Zimerman won.
The following prizes were awarded:[1]
In addition, three special prizes were awarded independently:
The jury consisted of:
Vera Gornostayeva
Lidia Grychtołówna Adam Harasiewicz (
V) Krzysztof Jabłoński Andrzej Jasiński (chairman)
Choong-Mo Kang Vladimir Krainev
Hiroko Nakamura
John O'Conor Janusz Olejniczak Piotr Paleczny (vice-chairman)
John Perry
Sergio Perticaroli Ewa Pobłocka (5th X)
Bernard Ringeissen Regina Smendzianka Józef Stompel
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Đặng Thái Sơn ( X)
Arie Vardi
Fanny Waterman
Zhou Guangren