Chopin Competition 2025: Old Hat versus New Possibilities
Stage 2, Day 4, of the competition took place on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The 19-year-old Polish pianist Yehuda Prokopowicz initiated the final day of Stage 2 performances.
I enjoyed the songful repose he brought to the Second Ballade’s lyrical sections.However, the lack of contrast in the Op 17 Mazurkas and the similarly easy-going selections from the Preludes, Op 28, and the Rondo à la Mazur, Op 5, led to a loss of interest in his performance.
In contrast, 17-year-old Hao Rao's performance in the 2021 Warsaw Competition stood out for its freshness and enthusiasm, holding its own among formidable colleagues in both the semi-final and final rounds.
Author's summary: Competition highlights new talent.