NEW YORK—The stage of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall became a veritable United Nations of talent, as the New York Concerti Sinfonietta presented winners of its 2013 International Concerto Competition and Shining Stars Debut soloists in a pair of concerts.

Reflecting the international character of the Concerto Competition, prizewinners performing at the Carnegie concert included a Polish pianist playing a Chopin concerto, a Mexican pianist playing a rarely encountered concerto by his countryman Manuel Ponce, a German pianist performing a work by Max Reger, and a Korean pianist playing Rachmaninoff.

Polish pianist Grzegorz Niemczuk, previously First Prize winner of the 40th National Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2010, currently studies with Jeffrey Swann. As First Prize winner of the 2013 International Concerto Competition at Carnegie Hall, Mr. Niemczuk gave a highly accomplished and artistically distinguished interpretation of the Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, op. 21.

The slow movement wove a spell like a Chopin Nocturne, with expressive phrasing and perfectly gauged rubato. This was Chopin playing of the highest order, refined and subtle, inspired by bel canto singing. His elegant performance of the mazurka-based finale captured its dance-like essence.

Mr. Niemczuk’s playing was notable for its fluidity, extremely wide dynamic range—from resounding fortissimos to whisper-soft pianissimos, variety of tone colors, and dazzling virtuosity. Maestro Hostetter and the orchestra were responsive and supportive partners.

The Epoch Time - Michael Sherwin