Welcome to the Frederic Chopin Society’s website!
The Frederic Chopin Society is an international piano recital series serving the greater metropolitan area of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Established in 1984, this volunteer-run organization presents world-class artists, from exciting emerging talents and mid-career masters to some of the most distinguished names in music. Concerts are held in the beautiful and intimate Mairs Concert Hall at Macalester College in Saint Paul. Although programs often include works by Chopin, the Society enjoys a wide range of keyboard music from over three centuries.
Now in its 42nd season, the Chopin Society presents the highest level of piano performance in a wide variety of keyboard repertoire. Traditionally, we have five solo recitals between fall and spring, but this September 14 we are adding a special pre-season all-Chopin recital by the Winner of the 2025 National Chopin Competition, who will represent the US at the upcoming XIX International Chopin Competition in Warsaw. At each and every concert, unforgettable, elevated music-making awaits us, and we invite you to join us!
— Mary Sigmond, President
—Tadeusz Majewski, Artistic Director
2025-2026 Season
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William Yang
Winner, U.S. National Chopin Competition
Special Pre-Season Recital
Sunday, September 14, 2025 – 3:00 PM
24-year old Twin Cities native William Yang, first prize winner at the 2025 National Chopin Piano Competition in January 2025, will represent the US in the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw this October. In addition to first prize, he was recognized with prizes for the best mazurka and sonata.
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Evren Ozel
Sunday, October 12, 2025 – 3:00 PM
American pianist Evren Ozel has established himself as a musician of “refined restraint” (Third Coast Review), combining fluent virtuosity with probing, thoughtful interpretations. Having performed extensively in the United States and abroad, Evren is the recipient of a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant, 2022 Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant, and is currently represented by Concert Artists Guild as an Ambassador Prize Winner of their 2021 Victor Elmaleh Competition.
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Sophia Liu
Sunday, November 9, 2025 – 3:00 PM
Not quite 17 years old, Canadian pianist Sophia Liu has already gained worldwide recognition for her exceptional musical interpretations and maturity. Her "phenomenal virtuosity" (Bachtrack), coupled with her "poise and authority" (Boston Musical Intelligencer) and dynamic interpretations have captivated and mesmerized audiences worldwide.
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Mao Fujita
Sunday, February 22, 2026 – 3:00 PM
Tokyo-born pianist Mao Fujita, 26, started piano lessons at the age of three and won his first international prize at age 12. In 2017, while still a student at the Tokyo College of Music, he rose to international prominence by winning First Prize at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland, also receiving the Audience Award and other top honors.
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Charles Richard-Hamelin
Sunday, April 12, 2026 – 3 :00 PM
Silver medalist and winner of the Krystian Zimerman Prize for the best sonata performance at the 2015 International Chopin Piano Competition, Quebec native Charles Richard-Hamelin is an important pianist of his generation. Recipient of the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec and of the prestigious Career Development Award conferred by the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto, he also holds the Prix Denise-Pelletier in November 2022, becoming the youngest recipient in the history of that highly distinguished prize.
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Paul Lewis
Sunday, May 10, 2026 – 3:00 PM
As one of the foremost interpreters of the Central European piano repertoire, Paul Lewis has performed and made recordings of Beethoven and Schubert that receive high critical acclaim. The sincerity and depth of his musical approach have won him global popularity that is reflected in the world-class orchestras he works with, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, London Symphony, Philharmonia, Bavarian Radio Symphony, NHK Symphony, New York Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw and Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestras.
The Frederic Chopin Society depends on the generous support of its patrons and friends. Please consider a contribution to ensure this concert series continues to bring the power and beauty of classical piano to the Twin Cities and surrounding communities.