Chopin Competition 2025 | Blog 14: Countdown

Chopin Competition 2025: Stage 3, Day 3

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Jed Distler reports on the third day of Stage 3, which took place on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Disappointing Performances

The morning's performances were not particularly exciting. Tomoharu Ushida, who had impressed in the 2021 Chopin Competition, had mixed results this year.

Ushida has formidable fingers and a huge sound, and he never lets you forget it.

His performances of the F minor Fantasy and B minor Sonata were loud and undifferentiated, bringing relief when they ended.

Zitong Wang's Recital

Zitong Wang's extended recital provided more perspective on her playing style. Her loud playing seemed hollow and aggressive, while her soft passagework lacked body and definition.

Author's summary: Disappointing performances at the Chopin Competition 2025.

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Gramophone Gramophone — 2025-10-17