The Fifth edition of the Competition was held on September 26-29th, 2001. Over fifty applicants were qualified and participated. This indicates not only the growing prestige of the competition but also its established importance. An international Jury under the honorary patronage of Prof. Krzysztof Penderecki, selected winners in each of the four categories: soloists - Heather O'Donnell ex aequo Sun Min Shim, duos - Joanna Zathey & Marzena Dopytalska ex aequo Agnieszka Tobik & Joanna Piszczelok, trios - Karolina Piątkowska, Tadeusz Samarek, and Izabela Paszkiewicz. A Special Award, founded by Fundacja Kultury, for the best performance of a piece written by a Polish composer went to Patrycja Piekutowska & Rafał Odrobina for Partita by W. Lutosławski. Another Special Award, founded by Gaudeamus Foundation, for the best performance of a piece written by a Dutch composer, was presented to Heather O'Donnell for Strides by T. Loevendie. On September 29th, the Gala Concert was held in the Philharmonic Hall, where Prof. Krzysztof Penderecki together with Prof. Marek Stachowski presented laureates with statuettes and diplomas. Sun Min Shim won the Competition's Grand Prix. Dimitri Ashkenazy performed as a Special Guest.

In December 2001, there was a re-edition of the Gala Concert reenacted for the people associated with culture and politics in Warsaw.