Grand Prix du Disque

The Jury of the 9th Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin Record Competition gave its verdict on 11 September 2020 in Warsaw. After assessing 51 one/two CD recordings submitted by 7 record companies, the Jury comprising

Prof. Bronisława Kawalla – chair

Prof. Andrzej Jasiński

Prof. Andrzej Lupa

Prof. Piotr Paleczny

Karol Radziwonowicz

Adam Rozlach

Dr Ewa Sławińska-Dahlig

Prof. Wojciech Świtała

awarded the following prizes and honorary mentions: 

Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin in the category of recordings made on contemporary instruments went to DEUTSCHE  GRAMMOPHON for Seong-Jin Cho – Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1; Ballades,  London Symphony Orchestra, Gianandrea Noseda

Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin in the category of recordings made on period instruments went to NARODOWY INSTYTUT FRYDERYKA CHOPINA for Janusz  Olejniczak – Chopin: 57 Mazurków / Mazurkas [Erard 1849], the Real Chopin series (2CD album)

Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin in the category of re-released historical recordings went to DUX for Chopin: Songs / Pieśni i piosnki Op. 74, Henryka Januszewska (soprano), Marek Drewnowski (piano)

Special Prize in the category of recordings made on contemporary instruments was awarded to NARODOWY INSTYTUT FRYDERYKA CHOPINA for – Martha Argerich, Mischa Maisky – Chopin: Piano Concerto; Sonata in G minor for piano and cello (Op. 65); Sinfonia Varsovia, Jacek Kaspszyk, the Chopin and his Europe series

Honorary mentions were awarded to NARODOWY INSTYTUT FRYDERYKA CHOPINA for the following recordings:

in the category of recordings made on contemporary instruments

– Maria João Pires – Chopin: Piano Concerto in F minor Op. 21; Nocturnes; Sinfonia Varsovia, Christopher Warren-Green, the Chopin and his Europe series

– Kate Liu – Chopin: Mazurki op. 56; Ballada f-moll, Andante spianato i Wielki Polonez Es-dur, Sonata op. 58, the Chopin Competition series [2 CDs]

in the category of recordings made on period instruments

– Garrick Ohlsson – Chopin: Scherzo in E major, Nocturnes, Mazurkas; Ballade in G minor [Erard 1849], the Real Chopin series

– Dina Yoffe – Chopin: Utwory koncertowe – wersja na jeden fortepian / Concert Works  – Version for one piano (Op. 2, 13, 14, 22) [Erard 1849], the Real Chopin series

– Philippe Giusiano – Chopin: Polonezy młodzieńcze, Sonata c-moll op. 4; Wariacje Là ci darem la mano op. 2 [Erard 1849], the Real Chopin series

No honorary mentions were awarded in the category of re-released historical recordings.

The amplification equipment, complete with speakers, was provided by Matrum Lab,a company dealing with technologies which improve the quality of electric power input and audio signals converted in electronic devices.

All provided devices and components use the Imperium Fluxus Electrons (IFE) technology developed by Andrzej Grochowski of Metrum Lab.

International Record Competition Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin

International Record Competitions Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin belong to the most prestigious events organized by The Fryderyk Chopin Society in Warsaw. The aim of the event is to award prizes and to promote the best recordings of Chopin music made by phonographic producers from all over the world.
The 1st Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was held in 1985. Its idea came from the musicologists: Stanisław Dybowski and Grzegorz Michalski. At first the event took place every two years – the 2nd Competition in 1987 and the 3rd in 1990. Later the frequency of the editions of the Competition has been changed to enable the panel of jury members to make the evaluations of recordings every five years. Since 1995, the year when the 4th edition of Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was held, the Competition has become an event permanently accompanying the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competitions in Warsaw. Commemorative medals and diplomas constitute prizes in the Record Competition. Producers of the prizewinning sound records are given the possibility to use the Competition’s logo to mark the award recipient products.
Up to 1995 there existed four categories in which the prizes were awarded:
I Piano works
II Works for piano and orchestra
III Chamber music and songs
IV Reeditions of old recordings
Beginning with the 5th Competition Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin, Warsaw 2000 the prizes are awarded in two categories:
I Contemporary recordings – recordings made after ………
II Historical recordings: accoustical and elecrical ones – recorded prior to ……..

RULES

APPLICATION FORM

HISTORIA

I

The 1st International Record Competition Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was held in Warsaw in 1985. The Jury members of the 1st Competition were:

  • Krzysztof Penderecki – President
  • Andrzej Jasiński
  • Józef Kański
  • Antoni Karużas
  • Janusz Olejniczak
  • Zbigniew Śliwiński
  • Krzysztof Szlifirski
  • Jan Weber

The Jury assessed 26 CD discs from 16 world companies. 2 discs were awarded prizes.

In the 1st category of piano music the Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin went to a TELDEC produced disc:
Frédéric Chopin: 4 Ballades, Scherzos; Cyprien Katsaris (piano), no.: Teldec 8.43053, DDD

In the 2nd category of piano and orchestra works the Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was awarded to a CBS produced disc:
Chopin:Piano Concerto No 2; Cecile Licad (piano), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor André Previn, no.: IM 39153

II

The 2nd International Record Competition Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was held in Warsaw in 1987. The Jury consisted of:

  • Krzysztof Penderecki – Honorary President Barbara Hesse-Bukowska
  • Józef Kański
  • Janusz Olejniczak
  • Andrzej Solczak
  • Krzysztof Szlifirski
  • Jan Weber

13 CD discs representing 6 companies were evaluated by the Jury. 1 record won the prize.

In the 1st category of piano music the Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was granted to a CBS produced disc:
Chopin: Impromptus, Fantasie Op.49, Barcarolle, Breceuse; Murray Perahia (piano) no.: MK 39708, DDD

An award was granted to a DECCA produced disc:
Chopin: Songs, Mélodies, Lieder; Elizabeth Söderström (soprano), Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano), no.: DECCA 414204-2, DDD

III

The 3rd International Record Competition Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin took place in Warsaw in 1990. The Jury members were:

  • Zbigniew Śliwiński – President
  • Jan Weber
  • Włodzimierz Obidowicz
  • Krzysztof Szlifirski
  • Lech Dudzik
  • Józef Kański

The jury assessed 32 CD records from 13 companies. 5 discs won the prizes.

In the 1st category of piano music the Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was granted to a CD from CALLIOPE:
Frédéric Chopin: Les Trois Sonates Pour Piano, Marche Funèbre; Henri Barda (piano), no.: CAL 9680, ADD

In the 2nd category of piano with orchestra works the prize went to a CD from SONY CLASSICAL:
Chopin: Piano Concerto Nos. 1 & 2; Murray Perahia (piano), Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor Zubin Mehta, no.: SK 44922, DDD

In the 4th category of remasterings of old recordings the prizes were granted to EMI’s 3 CD discs from the Références series.

1) Chopin: Etudes Op. 10 & Op. 25; Claudio Arrau (piano), no.: CDH 761016 2, ADD

2) Chopin: Préludes, Impromptus, Barcarolle, Berceuse; Alfred Cortot (piano), no.: CDH 761050 2, ADD

3) Chopin: 14 Valses, Barcarolle Op. 60, Nocturne Op. 27 no 2, Mazurka Op. 50 no 3; Dinu Lipatti (piano), no.: EMI 7 69802 2, ADD

IV

The 4th International Record Competition Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was held in Warsaw in 1995. Members of the Jury were:

  • Piotr Paleczny – President
  • Józef Kański
  • Lech Dudzik
  • Mieczysław Kominek
  • Janusz Olejniczak
  • Krzysztof Szlifirski
  • Stanisław Dybowski

The jury has assessed 45 CD records from 16 companies. 1 CD was granted the prize.

In the 1st category of piano music and in the second category of piano and orchestra works the Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was awarded to a Deutsche Grammophon:
Chopin: Piano Concerto No 2, 24 Preludes; Maria Joao Pires (piano), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor André Previn, no.: DG 437 817-2, DDD

The jury also awarded diplomas to pianist Idil Biret and the NAXOS company for the recording and compact discs release of Frederick Chopin’s complete works for piano solo and piano with orchestra – no.: NAXOS 8.550508, NAXOS 8.550356 – 8.550369, DDD

V

The 5th International Record Competition Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was ended in Warsaw on September 14th, 2000. The Jury consisted of:

  • Tadeusz Chmielewski – Honorary Chairman
  • Bronisława Kawalla – Chairwoman
  • Józef Kański
  • Lech Dudzik
  • Mieczysław Kominek
  • Krzysztof Szlifirski
  • Andrzej Lupa
  • Antoni Grudziński

The Jury evaluated 55 CDs from 24 recording companies. 4 CDs were awarded.
According to the decision of Bronislawa Kawalla, Chairwoman of the Jury, the Grand Prix award in the category of contemporary recordings has been divided.

The following CDS received the Grand Prix:
Solo compositions – two ex aequo awards:

BeArTon – F. Chopin: Waltzes and other works; Wojciech Świtała (piano); No. CDB 008; issue – National Issue vol 6.

Gega New – F. Chopin: Complete Rondos and Variations; Ludmil Angelov (piano); No. GD 135

Compositions with orchestra:
Deutsche Grammophon – F. Chopin : Chopin – Koncerty 1 & 2; Polish Festival Orchestra, Krystian Zimerman (conductor / piano), No. 459 864 – 2

In the category of historical recordings, the Grand Prix goes to:
Nimbus Records – F. Chopin: Grand Piano; Alfred Cortot – piano; Pleyel No. NI 88 14

VI

The 6th International Record Competition Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was held in Warsaw in 2005.

The Jury consisted of:

  • Bronisława Kawalla – chairwoman
  • Józef Kański
  • Antoni Grudziński
  • Tadeusz Chmielewski
  • Lech Dudzik
  • Kacper Miklaszewski
  • Andrzej Lupa
  • Stanisław Dybowski

13 CD’s representing 9 companies were evaluated by the Jury.
1 record won the prize.

In the 1st category of piano music the Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin was granted to a BeArTon produced CD:
Fryderyk Chopin – The National Edition vol. 12: Rondos, Allegro de concert, Wojciech Świtała (piano) no. BeArTon CDB019

A diploma was awarded to an ALBA RECORDS produced CD:
Chopin Nocturnes vol. 1 and 2, Janne Mertanen (piano) no. ALBA RECORDS ABCD 160, 190

VII

The 7th International Record Competition Grand Prix du Disque Fryderyk Chopin was concluded on 26 June 2010 in Warsaw. The Award Ceremony was held on 16 October 2010 in the Chopin Museum at 1 Okólnik street.

Members of the Jury:

  • Antoni Grudziński – chairman
  • Kazimierz Gierżod
  • Bronisława Kawalla
  • Jerzy Romaniuk
  • Alicja Paleta-Bugaj
  • Tadeusz Chmielewski
  • Adam Rozlach
  • Stanisław Dybowski
  • Andrzej Lupa
  • Krzysztof Kuraszkiewicz

The Jury assessed 66 CD’s submitted by 12 record companies. 5 CD’s were awarded.

The Grand Prix du Disque Fyderyk Chopin in the contemporary recordings category was awarded to Deutsche Grammophon for the CD
“Chopin – Piano Concertos” recorded by Rafał Blechacz with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under the direction of Jerzy Semkow.

Grand Prix du Disque Fryderyk Chopin in the re-released historical recordings category was awarded to Deutsche Grammophon for the CD
“Argerich Plays Chopin”.

The honourable mentions in the contemporary recordings category were given to:

Deutsche Grammophon for the CD “Chopin – Preludes” recorded by Rafał Blechacz

Decca for the CD “Nelson Freire. Chopin – the Nocturnes”

Calliope for the CD “Chopin – Nocturnes Intégrale. Berceuse” recorded by Pascal Amoyel

VIII

The 8th International Record Competition Grand Prix du Disque Fryderyk Chopin was concluded on 27 June 2015 in Warsaw.
The Jury assessed 23 recordings submitted by 8 labels. No prize was awarded in the re-released historical recordings category.

Members of the Jury:

  • Antoni Grudziński – chairman
  • Kazimierz Gierżod
  • Bronisława Kawalla
  • Józef Stompel
  • Bogdan Czapiewski
  • Wojciech Świtała
  • Zbigniew Lasocki
  • Andrzej Lupa

The Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin in te contemporary recordings category was awarded to AMBROISIE NAIVE for the CD
“Chopin – Piano Concertos” recorded by Nikolai Luganski with Sinfonia Varsovia under the direction of Alexander Vedernikov.

Honourable mentions were received by:

Deutsche Grammophon for the CD “Chopin Preludes” recorded by Jan Lisiecki.

Deutsche Grammophon for the CD “Chopin Recital” recorded by Ingolf Wunder.

MDG for the CD “Frederic Chopin – Late Piano Works” recorded by Jin Ju.

For more information please contact the organizer:

The Fryderyk Chopin Society in Warsaw
The Competition Office
ul. Tamka 43, 00-355 Warszawa
tel: (+48 22) 826 65 49,
tel./fax: (+48 22) 827 95 89,
e-mail: info[at]chopin.pl; jerzy[at]chopin.pl