Echoes of Chopin: Chinese Pianists Shine in Warsaw
Chinese pianist Chen Sa joins the jury of the Chopin Competition
Word of the week: 辉煌成就 (huīhuáng chéngjiù)
Meaning: a brilliant achievement
这一辉煌成就，彰显了她在音乐领域的卓越才华。This remarkable achievement highlights her outstanding talent in the field of music.
October 2025 marks the 19th edition of the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw - one of the world’s most prestigious events for young pianists. Chopin’s music has long enjoyed remarkable popularity in China: among this year’s 66 participants, 29 come from China, nearly half of the total.
What’s more, the competition’s jury also includes a Chinese pianist - Chen Sa (陈萨, Chén Sà), an outstanding artist who previously won fourth place in the same competition back in 2000.
Let’s read more about Chen Sa’s career and her memories of Warsaw:
2024年10月，波兰肖邦钢琴大赛组委会发布2025年“第十九届肖邦国际钢琴比赛”评委名单，中国钢琴家陈萨继续赴任。有意思的是，陈萨的职业演奏家之路，与“肖赛”缘分颇深。如她所言，“要说正式开启职业演奏家的生涯，我想应该从当年参赛之后算起”。
波兰 (Bōlán) — Poland
肖邦 (Xiàobāng) — Chopin
钢琴大赛 (gāngqín dàsài) — piano competition
组委会 (zǔwěihuì) — organizing committee
评委 (píngwěi) — judge; member of a jury
钢琴家 (gāngqín jiā) — a pianist
继续赴任 (jìxù fùrèn) — to continue serving in a post; to be reappointed
职业演奏家 (zhíyè yǎnzòu jiā) — professional performer (musician)
缘分 (yuánfèn) — fate; destined connection
颇深 (pō shēn) — quite deep; profound
开启 (kāiqǐ) — to start; to open
生涯 (shēngyá) — career; life journey
参赛 (cānsài) — to participate in a competition
算起 (suànqǐ) — to count from; to start from (a certain point in time)
In October 2024, the organizing committee of the Chopin Piano Competition in Poland announced the jury list for the 2025 “19th International Chopin Piano Competition.” Chinese pianist Chen Sa will once again serve as a judge. Interestingly, Chen’s career as a professional pianist has been closely tied to the Chopin Competition. As she put it, “If I were to say when my professional performing career truly began, it should be counted from the time after I took part in the Chopin Competition.”
除了每年保持一定数量的音乐会外，出唱片、参与大师课，以及各种与古典音乐有关的推广活动让她的艺术生活充实且丰富。印象里，她一直是那种在音乐上有自己坚持，而在其他方面比较随性的性格，好像很多事情都是在“被动”地遇到后，才开始“主动”钻研的。这样的松弛感，就像主题之后的变奏与幻想，带着一点点即兴和不可预知的期待，让她的职业生涯越发精彩。
除了 (chúle) — apart from; except for
音乐会 (yīnyuè huì) — concert
出唱片 (chū chàngpiàn) — to release an album
大师课 (dàshī kè) — masterclass
古典音乐 (gǔdiǎn yīnyuè) — classical music
推广活动 (tuīguǎng huódòng) — promotional activities
艺术生活 (yìshù shēnghuó) — artistic life
充实 (chōngshí) — fulfilling; enriched
丰富 (fēngfù) — rich; abundant
印象里 (yìnxiàng lǐ) — in one’s impression
随性 (suíxìng) — spontaneous; easygoing
性格 (xìnggé) — personality; character
被动 (bèidòng) — passive
主动 (zhǔdòng) — active; initiative
钻研 (zuānyán) — to study intensively; to delve into
松弛感 (sōngchí gǎn) — sense of ease or relaxation
变奏 (biànzòu) — variation (in music)
幻想 (huànxiǎng) — fantasy; imagination
即兴 (jíxìng) — improvisation; spontaneous performance
不可预知 (bù kě yùzhī) — unpredictable
期待 (qīdài) — anticipation; expectation
职业生涯 (zhíyè shēngyá) — professional career
精彩 (jīngcǎi) — splendid; brilliant
In addition to maintaining a steady number of concerts each year, Chen Sa’s artistic life is enriched by recording albums, giving masterclasses, and taking part in various classical music promotion activities. She has always seemed to be someone with strong personal convictions in music, yet rather easygoing in other aspects of life - as if many things only became her passion after she “encountered them by chance.” This sense of ease is like the variations and fantasies that follow a musical theme - imbued with a touch of improvisation and unpredictability - which makes her career all the more fascinating.
第十九届肖邦国际大赛今年10月拉开帷幕。这场每五年举办一次的盛会，不仅是全球最大规格的钢琴赛事之一，更是音乐爱好者们翘首以盼的狂欢。在众多焦点中，除了32位入围决赛的中国选手外。
第十九届 (dì shíjiǔ jiè) — the 19th (edition of an event)
拉开帷幕 (lākāi wéimù) — to kick off; to open (an event)
盛会 (shènghuì) — grand event; grand gathering
不仅…更是 (bùjǐn… gèng shì) — not only… but also
最大规格 (zuì dà guīgé) — largest scale; highest standard
音乐爱好者 (yīnyuè àihàozhě) — music lover; music enthusiast
翘首以盼 (qiáoshǒu yǐ pàn) — to look forward to eagerly; to await with great anticipation
狂欢 (kuánghuān) — carnival; celebration; festivity
众多 (zhòngduō) — numerous; many
焦点 (jiāodiǎn) — focus; highlight
入围 (rùwéi) — to be shortlisted; to be selected
决赛 (juésài) — final round (of a competition)
选手 (xuǎnshǒu) — contestant; competitor
The 19th International Chopin Piano Competition opened this October. Held once every five years, this grand event is not only one of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions, but also a long-awaited celebration for music lovers around the globe. Among the many highlights are the 32 Chinese contestants who have advanced to the finals.
2000年，在波兰华沙，陈萨曾以一曲惊人的演奏，赢得了第十四届肖邦国际大赛的第四名，并荣获波兰舞曲最佳演奏奖。这一辉煌成就，不仅彰显了她在音乐领域的卓越才华，更奠定了她在乐界的坚实地位。时隔多年，她从参赛选手蜕变为唯一华裔评委。
一曲 (yī qǔ) — a piece (of music)
惊人 (jīngrén) — astonishing; amazing
演奏 (yǎnzòu) — to perform (music); musical performance
荣获 (rónghuò) — to be honored with; to receive (an award)
波兰舞曲 (Bōlán wǔqǔ) — polonaise (Polish dance)
最佳演奏奖 (zuì jiā yǎnzòu jiǎng) — Best Performance Award
辉煌成就 (huīhuáng chéngjiù) — brilliant achievement
彰显 (zhāngxiǎn) — to demonstrate; to manifest
卓越 (zhuóyuè) — outstanding; exceptional
才华 (cáihuá) — talent
奠定 (diàndìng) — to lay (a foundation); to establish
乐界 (yuèjiè) — the music world
坚实 (jiānshí) — solid; firm
时隔多年 (shí gé duō nián) — after many years
蜕变 (tuìbiàn) — transformation; to evolve
In 2000, in Warsaw, Poland, Chen Sa delivered a stunning performance that earned her fourth place at the 14th International Chopin Piano Competition, along with the Best Performance of a Polonaise Award. This remarkable achievement not only showcased her extraordinary musical talent but also established her solid standing in the world of classical music. Years later, she has transformed from a contestant into the only juror of Chinese descent.
谈及肖邦国际大赛，陈萨深情回忆道：“我常常怀念华沙的秋天，那金黄的落叶在脚下发出悦耳的声响，还有那在街边小食后匆忙赶往琴房练习的场景，都深深印刻在我的脑海中。”
谈及 (tánjí) — to talk about; to mention
深情 (shēnqíng) — with deep emotion; affectionate
回忆 (huíyì) — to recall; to reminisce
怀念 (huáiniàn) — to miss; to cherish the memory of
华沙 (Huáshā) — Warsaw
落叶 (luòyè) — fallen leaves
脚下 (jiǎoxià) — underfoot; beneath one’s feet
发出 (fāchū) — to emit; to produce (a sound, light, etc.)
悦耳 (yuè’ěr) — pleasant to the ear; melodious
声响 (shēngxiǎng) — sound; noise
街边 (jiēbiān) — roadside; street side
匆忙 (cōngmáng) — hurried; in a rush
赶往 (gǎnwǎng) — to hurry to; to rush toward
琴房 (qínfáng) — piano room; practice room
练习 (liànxí) — to practice
场景 (chǎngjǐng) — scene; setting
深深 (shēnshēn) — deeply; profoundly
印刻 (yìnkè) — to engrave; to imprint
脑海 (nǎohǎi) — mind; memory
Speaking of the Chopin International Competition, Chen Sa recalled with deep affection:
“I often miss the autumns in Warsaw - the pleasant sound of golden leaves crunching beneath my feet, and the moments of hurrying to the practice room after grabbing a quick bite from a street stall. Those scenes are etched vividly in my memory.”
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