Every four years, Warsaw becomes the luminous heart of the classical piano world. The International Chopin Competition is more than a contest — it’s a global ritual of artistry and endurance. For pianists, it is the Mount Everest of performance; for listeners, it is two weeks of breathtaking musical devotion.
But while the audience follows the fate of each pianist, another drama unfolds behind the music — a quieter rivalry that has nothing to do with interpretation or emotion, and everything to do with sound.
Because in Warsaw, the pianists are not the only ones competing. The pianos themselves are.
For decades, the story was simple: Steinway & Sons reigned supreme. Nearly every laureate of the Chopin Competition from the mid-20th century onward played on a Steinway. The American-German giant, with its resonant power and commanding projection, was the inevitable choice of champions.
But in the 21st century, something began to change. New contenders emerged. Italy’s FAZIOLI — sleek, modern, and crystalline in tone — began winning the hearts of pianists seeking transparency and color. Japan’s Kawai Shigeru, once a quiet alternative, started to earn respect for its warmth and precision. The Chopin Competition, once a Steinway stronghold, was now a stage for a new generation of instruments.
This year, five manufacturers joined the Warsaw lineup:
And their rivalry proved every bit as fascinating as that of the performers.
Eighty-four pianists, five pianos, and a single goal: to let Chopin’s voice speak through them.
In this first round, there are no rankings, but choices matter. Half of the contestants — a full 50% — placed their trust in the Steinway Model D, drawn to its power and familiarity.
The Kawai Shigeru Concert Grand followed at 25%, appreciated for its mellow warmth and lyrical balance.
FAZIOLI’s 278 captured 11.9% of performers with its dazzling clarity and nuanced tone.
Yamaha’s CFX came in at 10.7%, its crisp articulation favored by a few adventurous pianists, while Bechstein, newly re-entering the competition scene, was chosen by 2.4%.
The numbers seemed to confirm tradition: Steinway ruled. But subtle patterns were forming beneath the surface.
When the second stage arrived, decisions grew more deliberate. Pianists had now heard every instrument on the hall’s stage, absorbed their nuances, and reflected on how each responded to Chopin’s poetry.
Some stayed loyal to their first choice; others switched allegiances.
Steinway grew even stronger, now commanding 60% of performances.
FAZIOLI held its ground at 10%, while Yamaha slipped to 2.5%.
Meanwhile, Kawai’s Shigeru Concert Grand quietly gained followers. It was no longer seen as the outsider’s option, but rather as a pianist’s instrument — warm, transparent, and deeply responsive. Observers began to notice: many of the most compelling performances were emerging from the FAZIOLI and Kawai camps.
By the time the finalists took the stage for Chopin’s concertos, the whispers had turned into conviction.
The magic, it seemed, was coming from two pianos in particular: the FAZIOLI 278 and the Kawai Shigeru Concert Grand.
When the final results were announced, they confirmed what keen listeners already suspected.
|
Rank| Piano Brand | Model |
Country |
Highlights |
|
🥇 1st — FAZIOLI 278 |
Italy |
Played by the competition winner — just as in the previous edition. Its luminous tone and crystalline responsiveness carried the day once again. |
|
🥈 2nd — Steinway D |
Germany |
Still the most-used instrument overall, a pillar of tradition with unmatched projection and authority. |
|
🥉 3rd — Kawai Shigeru Concert Grand |
Japan |
Appeared three times in the top five — a sign of its growing prestige and the artistry it enables. |
|
4th — Yamaha CFX |
Japan |
Bright, clean, and technically impeccable, though less represented in later rounds. |
|
5th — Bechstein |
Germany |
A quiet reentry, but its elegant voice hints at promise for future competitions. |
The Chopin Competition has always been a testament to artistry. But this year, more than ever, it reminded us that performance is a conversation — between the pianist’s imagination and the piano’s soul.
The FAZIOLI shimmered with lyricism; the Steinway thundered with grandeur; the Kawai Shigeru spoke in warmth and sincerity.
In the end, the competition crowned not just the best pianist, but the piano that best captured Chopin’s voice in 2025.
And once again, that voice — clear, poetic, unmistakably human — rang from the shining keys of the FAZIOLI 278.
Stage 2
The open field of Stage 1 is narrowed down in Stage 2. Performers have both played and listened to all Concert Grands available. Do I stick with my horse or do I change? Quite a few changed to the Kawai Shigeru Concert Grand. The largest increase and the largest share of pianists’ performance went to the Steinway D. Of the total performances during Stage 2 60% were played on Steinway. FAZIOLI remained steady at 10%. The Yamaha CFX was chosen by only 2.5% in this round.
Final Round and Ranking:....and the winner is FAZIOLI and KAWAI
Something interesting was visible to those who looked very closely at the points awarded by the Jury. Throughout the rounds the best performers played on FAZIOLI and KAWAI. So it was not surprising that the competition was won on the FAZIOLI 278 (just like in the previous competition). The second place went to Steinway. The third palace to Kawai Shigeru.
Kawai showed up 3 times in the top 5
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