At the end of September, Warsaw became the world’s capital of the piano. From 25–28 September 2025, just before the 19th International Chopin Competition, the Piano Congress 2025 took place. It was one of the most important industry events, bringing together pianists, piano tuners, builders, and keyboard instrument enthusiasts from around the world.
Inside the Piano
The motto of this year’s edition was “Discover the Piano”. Participants could take a closer look at this extraordinary instrument – not only from the musical but also the technical side. As the organizers emphasized, the piano is the result of the joint work of the pianist, the tuner, and the sound engineer. The congress aimed to show how different perspectives come together to create the final result – the sound we hear on stage.
Seminars, Workshops, and Exhibition
The program included seminars open to the general public as well as a professional section dedicated to technicians and piano restorers. The event featured numerous lectures, panel discussions, and workshops, covering topics from piano maintenance to the latest technologies – including self-playing systems.
A major highlight was the instrument exhibition, where leading brands were presented: Yamaha, Steinway & Sons, Kawai, Bechstein, Steingraeber, and many other manufacturers. It was a unique opportunity to see and hear both the latest models and instruments with traditional, artisanal character in one place.
A Meeting of Professionals and Enthusiasts
Reports emphasized that the congress was not only an opportunity to gain knowledge but also a chance for exchange of experiences and building relationships between different communities connected with the piano. As Judyta Fibiger, President of the Polish Piano Tuners Association, pointed out, the Piano Congress demonstrated how important cooperation and dialogue between the artist and the technician truly are.
Piano Congress 2025 in Warsaw confirmed that the piano is not only a musical instrument but also a work of engineering art and a subject of ongoing research and passion. For many participants, this meeting became an inspiration for further work – both at the keyboard and inside the instrument itself.
International Context
The Warsaw congress also had a symbolic dimension – it was held in the year of the Chopin Competition, highlighting the strong connection between the tradition of classical music and the modern approach to the instrument. Participants came from all over the world, and Poland once again confirmed its role as an important center of musical life and pianism.