Mateusz Krzyżowski wins the Paderewski

First Polish Winner in Bydgoszcz since 1986

The triennial Paderewski International Piano Competition was founded in 1961 and is held to commemorate Ignacy Jan Paderewski, an outstanding pianist, composer and politician. For this year´s edition, 150 pianists from 28 countries applied, with live preliminary  rounds being held in Sacile (Italy), Seoul, Tokyo, Warsaw, Vienna and New York. 
During this 12th edition of the Competition, renown Polish pianist Rafał Blechacz has become its Ambassador and a juror. Other jury members include Dang Thai Son, Stanislav Ioudenitch, Vanessa Latarche, Nikita Mndoyants, Alberto Nose, Noriko Ogawa, Alicja Paleta-Bugaj. Professor Piotr Paleczny will lead the work of the Jury and will act as Artistic Director of the 12th Competition. 

2022 marks the first time for the Paderewski Competition to award a winner from its home country, Poland, in 36 years. Following Wojciech Kocyan in 1986, this years contest was won by Mateusz Krzyzowski. Born in 1999 in Tychy, Poland, has won several prizes at national and international competitions. He has given recitals in Japan, Germany, France, Ukraine and other countries and has performed with most major orchestras in Poland.

The Paderewski Music Association was established shortly after Poland regained independence, and in May 2022 it celebrated its centenary anniversary. Rarely does it happen that an Association, founded during an outburst of optimism that strives to disseminate cultural values and ascertain national identity, survives so long and successfully carries on with its mission. The Music Association in Bydgoszcz, operating for almost an entire century, (it suspended its operation only during the Second World War) has been transforming the city and the region. It propagates music culture, establishes professional institutions and supports artists, at the same time sustains highest standards. All these endeavors have turned Bydgoszcz into a city of music.