Eric Lu has just taken top honours at one of the world’s most important piano competitions. Who is the new hero of classical music, and what should you know about him? Meet the artist who captivated the jury and audience in Warsaw.
Video of Eric’s Performance
The Road to Triumph
Eric Lu, an American pianist of Chinese and Taiwanese descent, was born in 1997 in Massachusetts. From an early age he showed extraordinary musical talent. He began playing the piano before his sixth birthday, inspired by his older sister.
Besides his victory at the 2025 Chopin Competition, Lu has won many prestigious awards:
- 1st prize at the Leeds Competition in 2018
- 4th prize at the 2015 Chopin Competition, as one of the youngest participants
- Numerous distinctions in piano competitions in Ettlingen, Miami, Moscow and Minnesota.
Who Is Eric Lu: Talent, Background and Personality
Early Years
Eric Lu grew up in a musical family. His father comes from Taiwan and his mother from China. He took his first piano lessons with Dorothy Shi, and later developed under Aleksandr Korsantia and Ramon Riviera at the New England Conservatory. A significant influence on his style came from his studies with Dang Thai Son, Jonathan Biss and Robert McDonald at the renowned Curtis Institute of Music.
Artistic Maturity
Lu quickly earned the recognition of experts. He performed in prestigious halls across Europe and the United States, and regularly visited Poland, where audiences appreciated his interpretive sensitivity. He cherishes the music of Mozart, Schubert and, of course, Chopin, to whom he feels a particularly deep emotional bond.
Breakthrough and Phenomenon
His second attempt at the Chopin Competition proved victorious. In 2015 he took fourth place, and a decade later he returned as a more mature, self-aware artist. After difficult health moments (his final performance was postponed), he displayed a new quality: full expressiveness and personality.
Key Achievements and Playing Style
- Winner of the Gold Medal and a prize of 60,000 euros at the 2025 Chopin Competition
- Performs with leading orchestras in Europe and the USA
- Serves as an ambassador for Chopin’s music and the young generation of musicians
Eric Lu’s Discography
| Year | Label | Repertoire |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Warner Classics | Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Brahms |
| 2021 | Warner Classics | Chopin and Mozart |
Fun Facts from the Pianist’s Life
- His parents are Asian immigrants in the USA, and Lu skilfully blends cultural inspirations.
- He graduated from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
- He also owes his success to outstanding teachers, who not only refined his technique but also helped shape his musical identity.
What’s Next?
Eric Lu has secured his place in the history of the Chopin Competition as one of the most distinctive and talented laureates of recent years. In the near future we will be able to follow his upcoming concerts, and already today the artist is regarded as an ambassador of the young generation of pianists and a breath of fresh air in classical music.
