Sonata b minor / Mazurki op. 59 / Berceuse

Few pianists in the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition exuded quite the confidence of the 20-year-old Georgijs Osokins from Latvia. Yet his obvious self-belief - which manifested itself in a strong mix of flamboyance and focus - was not misplaced. Despite not winning one of the ultimate prizes, he earned a place in the Final Stage and his playing throughout the competition helped him to walk away with a slew of engagements, as valuable a prize as any. His individual style was recognized quickly too. Reporting on the First Stage for the Chopin Courier, Jacek Marczyƒski wrote that ‘Fortunately, an effective finale was provided by Georgijs Osokins … who drew attention with his personality and mature interpretations, in which insight was combined with virtuosic élan.’ Responding in the same paper to his performances in the Second Stage, Kacper Miklaszewski called him ‘a personality … but also controversial.’ During October 2015 in Warsaw, the Latvian pianist was never in any danger of disappearing from the spotlight.