Accomplished Polish pianist and conductor, Piotr Pawlak, publicly witnessed to his Catholic faith before his semifinal performance at the 2025 Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Moments before his performance on October 11, at one of the most prestigious stages in the classical world, Pawlak took out his rosary, made the sign of the cross, and prayed. His performance earned him second prize in the competition, which was viewed by millions of people worldwide.
Piotr Pwalok
The 27-year-old pianist told OSV News that it was an “absolutely natural” thing for him to pray before every performance. Pawlak remarked that he doesn’t ever hide his faith from his audience. He grew up in a Catholic home and his mother taught him to pray. Even now, despite his busy concert schedule, Pawlak occasionally plays the organ at his parish church in Gdańsk. “Nothing bad can come from showing your faith publicly,” he stated.
Chopin Competition, held every five years in Warsaw since 1927, is one of the world’s most prestigious and demanding contests, devoted entirely to the music of iconic Polish composer Frédéric Chopin. Pianists who take part in the International Chopin Competition are considered the best in the world.