Being only ten,  Rafał Blechacz boasted may prizes and awards won at  national piano competitions. In 2002 he won the second prize at ‘Artur Rubinstein in Memoriam’- an International Competition for Young Pianists organized by Ignacy Paderewski Pomeranian Philharmonic  Hall. In 2003 and 2004 he enjoyed his first achievements internationally recognised. He won the first and the second prize at International Piano Competition in Japan and then in Morocco.

15th Chopin International Piano Competition Winner

On the 21st of October Rafal Blechacz won the 15th Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. That prestigious prize marked the beginning of an international career. Since then Rafał Blechacz plays in the most  famous concert halls in the world filled to capacity.
In 2007 his first album was recorded by Deutsche Gramophone.   

Bydgoszcz appreciates the young pianist

In 2005 Rafał Blechacz was granted Andrzej Szwalbe’s Award – one of the most prestigious awards in Bydgoszcz. Two years later, in 2007,  he unveiled a brass plate with his signature at Długa Street. This is a tradition in Bydgoszcz to honour this way distinguished citizens whose achievements promote Bydgoszcz.