Historic Chopin Marathon at Piano Vertu Montreal: 19th Chopin Competition Finalists Showcase the Legendary Shigeru Kawai SK-EX
Montreal’s Piano Vertu hosted an extraordinary two-day classical music event that brought together world-class talent, prestigious piano artistry, and the legendary Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano in an unforgettable celebration of Chopin’s timeless music.
A Rare Gathering of Chopin Competition Elite
On August 14-15, 2025, Piano Vertu in Montreal became the epicenter of international piano excellence, hosting a Chopin Marathon concert featuring Professor Dang Thai Son and eight of his distinguished students—all selected to compete in the prestigious 19th International Chopin Competition in Warsaw this October.
This remarkable gathering represented 10% of the 85 pianists chosen from over 700 global applicants for the 2025 Chopin Competition, making it one of the most significant classical music events in Montreal’s recent history.
The Legendary Dang Thai Son: A Master Teacher’s Legacy
Dang Thai Son, the Vietnamese-Canadian pianist who made history in 1980 as the first Asian pianist to win the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, continues to nurture the next generation of piano virtuosos. His students have consistently excelled at international competitions, with his proteges taking three of the six prizes at the 2015 Chopin Competition and Bruce Xiaoyu Liu winning first prize in 2021.
The Star of the Show: Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand Piano
The centerpiece of this musical celebration was Piano Vertu’s Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano, the same model chosen as the official piano for numerous prestigious international competitions throughout 2025, including:
- The 19th International Chopin Competition in Warsaw
- The Long-Thibaud International Competition in Paris
- The Città di Cantù International Piano Competition in Italy
- Multiple other world-class piano competitions
Why the SK-EX is the Choice of Champions
The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX has earned its reputation as the “competition grand piano” through its exceptional tonal clarity and dynamic range. Each instrument is hand-crafted in limited numbers using premium aged spruce soundboards and a unique prototyping creation process that has made it the preferred choice for discerning pianists worldwide.
The feedback from the Chopin Competition finalists was overwhelmingly positive, with performers praising the piano’s responsiveness, tonal beauty, and ability to support both intimate pianissimo passages and powerful fortissimo sections.
An Immersive Cultural Experience in Montreal
Piano Vertu transformed their showroom into a proper concert venue, creating an intimate stage and reception area that welcomed over 130 guests during the nine hours of performances across two days. The event featured:
- Wine and food reception creating a sophisticated atmosphere
- Master technician present throughout to maintain optimal piano conditions
- Restructured showroom designed specifically for the marathon format
- Intimate setting allowing audiences to experience world-class pianism up close
Supporting Montreal’s Classical Music Scene
This event perfectly complements Montreal’s thriving classical music landscape, which includes prestigious venues like Bourgie Hall at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Place des Arts, and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. The timing also aligns with Montreal’s busy 2025 classical music calendar, including the Festival International Bach Montréal (November 15 – December 7) and numerous other high-profile classical events.
The Road to Warsaw: October 2025 Chopin Competition
The 19th International Chopin Competition, running October 2-23, 2025, marks a historic milestone as the 100th anniversary of this prestigious event. The competition will culminate at Warsaw’s National Opera Theatre, where these eight talented musicians who graced Piano Vertu’s stage will compete for prizes totaling €210,000.
What Makes This Competition Special
- Historic centennial celebration spanning five years of festivities
- 85 carefully selected pianists from 700+ global applicants
- Exclusive Chopin repertoire performed from memory
- World-class jury including Garrick ohlsson, Dang Thai Son, and other piano luminaries
- International broadcasting bringing global attention to participants
Looking Forward: Continuing the Legacy
The success of this Chopin Marathon concert sets a precedent for future collaborations between Piano Vertu and the international classical music community. As these eight talented musicians compete in Warsaw this October, they carry with them not only their exceptional training under Dang Thai Son but also their positive experience with Montreal’s musical hospitality and the outstanding Shigeru Kawai SK-EX piano.
Follow the 19th International Chopin Competition from October 2-23, 2025, to see how these remarkable pianists who graced Montreal’s Piano Vertu perform on the world’s most prestigious piano competition stage.
Piano Vertu is Montreal’s premier piano showroom, featuring a curated selection of world-class acoustic and digital pianos. Visit our showroom to experience the legendary Shigeru Kawai SK-EX and other exceptional instruments that continue to inspire musicians around the world.
Keywords: 19th Chopin Competition 2025, Shigeru Kawai SK-EX, Dang Thai Son, Piano Marathon Montreal, Chopin Competition finalists, Piano Vertu, Montreal classical music, competition grand piano, concert grand piano, piano competitions 2025