COMPETITION
2026
BASSOON
PERCUSSION
STRING QUARTET
ORGAN
Bassoon
Percussion
String Quartett
Organ
Main Prizes
BASSOON
1st Prize €15,000: Enrico Bassi
2nd Prize €10,000: Jappe Dendievel
3rd Prize €5,000: Laure Thomas
ORGAN
1st Prize €15,000: William Fielding
2nd Prize €10,000: Alexis Grizard
3rd Prize €5,000: Julian Emanuel Becker
PERCUSSION
1st Prize €15,000: Gabriel Michaud
2nd Prize €10,000: Yuan Xia
STRING QUARTET
1st prize €30,000: Viatores Quartet
3rd prize €18,000: Katarina String Quartet
3rd prize €18,000: Quartet Fugue
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
SPECIA PRICES
AUDIENCE PRIZES
Audience prizes totalling €8,000, sponsored by the Theodor Rogler Foundation and the Erika and Georg Dietrich Foundation, will be awarded during the final rounds, specifically for
Bassoon (€2,000): Jappe Dendievel
Organ, worth €2,000: Alexis Grizard
Percussion, worth €2,000: Yuan Xia
String quartet, worth €2,000: Viatores Quartet
SPECIAL PRIZES FOR THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE COMMISSIONED COMPOSITION
Special prizes totalling €4,000 for the best performance of the respective commissioned composition, sponsored by the Alice Rosner Foundation, will be awarded in the following categories:
Bassoon, for the composition by Nina Šenk, worth €1,000: Johanna Bilgeri
Organ for the composition by Enjott Schneider, worth €1,000: Mélodie Michel & Silvan Meschke
Percussion for the composition by Johannes X. Schachtner, worth €1,000: Mariia Shmeleva
String quartet for the composition by Camille Pépin, worth €1,000: Viatores Quartet
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM THE BAVARIAN RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Special Prize, worth €4,000, sponsored and presented by the Friends of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, is awarded by the orchestra members for an outstanding performance by a finalist in this year’s solo categories. It also entails participation in a project organised by the BRSO: Gabriel Michaud
ARD KLASSIK MEDIA PRIZE
The ARD Klassik Media Prize is awarded to the finalist Gabriel Michaud and includes a high-quality media production for the ARD Mediathek or the ARD Klassik social media channels.
YOUR CHOICE – CLASSICAL MUSIC AUDIENCE AWARD
BR Klassik is awarding €1,000 to the audience favourite from the final rounds, Enrico Bassi, who received the most votes in the online poll.
YOUNG ARTIST DISCOVERY AWARD
The Young Artist Discovery Award, worth €2,000 and sponsored by the Dr Marianne Kunkel Fund, is awarded by
ARD Klassik to Silvan Meschke in recognition of an outstanding performance by a young competition participant.
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM THE MUNICH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
The Special Prize from the Munich Chamber Orchestra, worth €1,000, is awarded by the members of the Munich Chamber Orchestra to Jappe Dendievel for an outstanding performance by a semi-finalist in the bassoon category.
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM GENUIN CLASSICS
GENUIN classics is awarding the Viatores Quartet a special prize consisting of a Dolby Atmos production with worldwide release, valued at €12,000.
BRÜDER-BUSCH PRIZE
The Brüder-Busch Prize Board of Trustees, Hilchenbach, awards the Brüder-Busch Prize, worth €4,000, in collaboration with the Philharmonie Südwestfalen, the State Orchestra of North Rhine-Westphalia, to an outstanding finalist. This includes a debut concert with the Brüder-Busch-Kreis, the cultural association of the town of Hilchenbach and the municipality of Erndtebrück, as well as possible follow-up concerts with the Philharmonie Südwestfalen: Yuan Xia
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM THE BAVARIAN PHILHARMONIC
The Bavarian Philharmonic is awarding a special prize of €1,500 to Gabriel Michaud. The special prize includes a concert as part of the Bavarian Philharmonic’s Mozart+ series at the
Cuvillié Theatre in Munich.
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM THE BLACK FOREST MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Black Forest Music Festival is awarding a special prize of €1,500 to the finalist Enrico Bassi. The special prize includes a performance at the festival’s closing concert on Whit Monday at the Christuskirche in Mitteltal, in collaboration with the premium partner Hotel Bareiss, followed by a musical culinary experience.
ALICE ROSNER PRIZE
The Alice Rosner Foundation awards the Alice Rosner Prize, worth €1,000, for the best interpretation of Iannis Xenakis’s ‘Psappha’ to SeongYeon Kong.
STRING QUARTET TOUR
Impresariat Simmenauer GmbH is organising a concert tour for the winning string quartet: the Viatores Quartet.
Dates: 4 to 22 March 2027
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM KLANGERLEBNIS TÖLZ WINNERS’ SUMMIT
The Klangerlebnis e. V. association, organiser of the TÖLZ WINNERS’ SUMMIT festival, is awarding a special prize of €1,500 to the first-placed string quartet: Viatores Quartet. The special prize includes a concert at the Kurhaus Bad Tölz as part of the TÖLZ WINNERS’ SUMMIT festival in January 2027, which is held under the patronage of the town of Bad Tölz.
GEWA SPECIAL PRIZE
GEWA music GmbH is awarding a special prize to the winners – the Viatores Quartet, the Katarina String Quartet and the Quartet Fugue – in the string quartet category, in the form of instrument cases.
EDDA BEUTLER SPECIAL PRIZE
Edda Beutler is awarding a special prize of €8,000 in the string quartet category for an outstanding performance by a string quartet that did not reach the final: the Isla String Quartet
“PODIUM FOR YOUNG SOLOISTS” TEGERNSEE SPECIAL PRIZE
The Freundeskreis für die Förderung junger Musiker e.V. in Tegernsee is awarding a prize of €1,000 for the outstanding achievements of semi-finalist Leon Lorenz, who could not be considered for the main prizes.
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM THE MOZART SOCIETY OF MUNICH
The Mozart Society of Munich e.V. is awarding a special prize of €1,000 to semi-finalist Carlos Martin Esteve.
HENLE ORIGINAL SCORE PRIZE
G. Henle Verlag is awarding special prizes in the string quartet category, totalling €6,000 in the form of prizes in kind and cash, to the Viatores Quartet, the Katarina String Quartet and Quartet Fugue.
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM MASSATELIER MARILLON
Massatelier Marillon, which specialises in the creation of concert attire for musicians, is awarding a special prize to the winners of the Viatores Quartet for the creation of a bespoke stage wardrobe worth €2,500.
SUPPORT PRIZE FROM JEUNESSES MUSICALES DEUTSCHLAND
The prize consists of a scholarship for a
string quartet to take part in the JM International Chamber Music Campus from 8 to 19 September 2027 at Weikersheim Castle: Quartett HANA
CURRENT INFORMATION & SERVICE
In 2026, the ARD International Music Competition celebrated its 75th anniversary with a spectacular combination of disciplines:
The organ discipline returned after 15 years – one competition round took place in St. Michael’s Church in the heart of Munich. Another new location hosted the first two rounds of the string quartet discipline: the Amerikahaus on Karolinenplatz.
Bassoon players and percussionists gave their best at the Munich University of Music and Performing Arts.
The candidates were judged by world-famous jury members, including Martin Grubinger, Gustavo Núñez, Sophie Derveaux, Thierry Escaich, Vineta Sareika, Pierre Colombet and Veronika Hagen.
Videos
Main prizes
BASSOON
1. Prize: Enrico Bassi € 15.000
2. Prize: Jappe Dendievel € 10.000
3. Prize: Laure Thomas € 5.000
ORGAN
1. Prize: William Fielding € 15.000
2. Prize: Alexis Grizard € 10.000
3. Prize: Julian Emanuel Becker € 5.000
PERCUSSION
1. Prize: Gabriel Michaud € 15.000
2. Prize: Yuan Xia € 10.000
STRING QUARTET
1. Prize: Viatores Quartet € 30.000
3. Prize: Katarina String Quartet € 18.000
3. Prize: Quartet Fugue € 18.000
SPECIAL AWARDS
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Audience prizes totalling €8,000, sponsored by the Theodor-Rogler-Foundation and the Erika-und-Georg-Dietrich-Foundation, will be awarded during the final rounds for
Bassoon in the amount € 2.000: Jappe Dendievel
Organ in the amount of € 2.000: Alexis Grizard
Percussion in the amount of € 2.000: Yuan Xia
String Quartet in the amount of € 2.000: Viatores Quartet
SPECIAL AWARD FOR THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE COMMISSIONED COMPOSITION
Special prizes totalling €4,000 for the best performance of the respective commissioned composition, sponsored by the Alice-Rosner-Foundation, will be awarded in the category
Bassoon for Nina Šenk’s composition in the amount of € 1.000: Johanna Bilgeri
Organ for Enjott Schneider’s composition in the amount of € 1.000: Mélodie Michel & Silvan Meschke
Percussion for Johannes X. Schachtner’s composition in the amount of € 1.000: Mariia Shmeleva
String Quartet for Camille Pépin’s composition in the amount of € 1.000: Viatores Quartet
SPECIAL AWARD FROM THE SYMPHONIEORCHESTERS DES BAYRISCHEN RUNDFUNKS
The Special Prize from the Symphonieorchesters des Bayerischen Rundfunks worth € 4.000, sponsored and presented by the Verein der Freunde des Symphonieorchesters des Bayerischen Rundfunks, is awarded by the orchestra members for an outstanding performance by a finalist in this year’s solo categories. The prize also includes the opportunity to take part in a BRSO project: Gabriel Michaud
ARD CLASSIC MEDIA AWARD
The ARD Classic media award is presented to the finalist Gabriel Michaud and includes a high-quality media production for the ARD Mediathek or the ARD Klassik social media channels.
YOUR CHOICE – CLASSIC AWARD FROM THE STREAMING-AUDIENCE
BR Klassik will award €1,000 to the audience favourite from the final rounds, who received the most votes in the online poll: Enrico Bassi
YOUNG ARTIST DISCOVERY AWARD
The Young Artist Discovery Award, worth €2,000, funded by the Dr.-Marianne-Kunkel-Fund, is presented by ARD Klassik in recognition of an outstanding performance by a young competition entrant and goes to Silvan Meschke.
SPECIAL AWARD FROM THE MÜNCHENER KAMMERORCHESTER
The Munich Chamber Orchestra’s Special Prize, worth €1,000, is awarded to Jappe Dendievel by the members of the Munich Chamber Orchestra for an outstanding performance by a semi-finalist in the bassoon category.
SPEICIAL AWARD GENUIN CLASSICS
GENUIN classics is awarding a special prize consisting of a Dolby Atmos production with a worldwide release, valued at €12,000 to the Viatores Quartet.
BRÜDER-BUSCH-PRIZE
The Brüder-Busch-Preis Board of Trustees, Hilchenbach, awards the Brüder-Busch-Preis, worth €4,000, in collaboration with the Philharmonie Südwestfalen, the State Orchestra of North Rhine-Westphalia, to an outstanding finalist. This includes a debut concert with the Gebrüder-Busch-Kreis, the cultural association of the town of Hilchenbach and the municipality of Erndtebrück, as well as possible follow-up concerts with the Philharmonie Südwestfalen: Yuan Xia
SPECIAL AWARD FROM THE BAVARIAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
The Bavarian Philharmonic Orchestra awards a special prize of €1,500 to the outstanding finalist Gabriel Michaud. The special prize includes a concert as part of the Bavarian Philharmonic Orchestra’s Mozart+ series at the Cuvillié Theatre in Munich.
SPECIAL AWARD FROM THE SCHWARZWALD MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Schwarzwald Music Festival awards a special prize of €1,500 to the outstanding finalist Enrico Bassi. The special prize includes a performance at the festival’s closing concert on Whit Monday at the Christuskirche in Mitteltal, organised in collaboration with the festival’s premium partner, Hotel Bareiss, followed by a musical and culinary experience.
ALICE-ROSNER-PRIZE
The Alice-Rosner-Foundation awards the Alice-Rosner-Prize, worth €1,000, for the best interpretation of Iannis Xenakis “Psappha” to SeongYeon Kong.
STRING QUARTET-TOURNEE
Impresariat Simmenauer GmbH is organising a concert tour for the winning string quartet: Viatores Quartet. Dates: 4 to 22 March 2027
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM KLANGERLEBNIS TÖLZ WINNERS’ SUMMIT
The Klangerlebnis e. V. association, organiser of the TÖLZ WINNERS’ SUMMIT festival, awards a special prize of €1,500 to the Viatores Quartet. The special prize includes a concert at the Kurhaus in Bad Tölz as part of the TÖLZ WINNERS’ SUMMIT festival in January 2027, which is held under the patronage of the town of Bad Tölz.
SPECIAL AWARD GEWA
GEWA music GmbH is awarding a special prize to the prize-winners Viatores Quatrtet, Katarina String Quartet and Quartet Fugue in the string quartet category in the form of instrument cases.
SPECIAL AWARD EDDA BEUTLER
Edda Beutler awards a special prize of €8,000 in the string quartet category for an outstanding performance by a string quartet that does not reach the final: Isla String Quartet
SPECIAL AWARD “PODIUM FÜR JUNGE SOLISTEN” TEGERNSEE
The Friends’ Association for the Promotion of Young Musicians (e.V.) in Tegernsee awards a prize of €1,000 for outstanding achievements by the semi-finalist Leon Lorenz who was not selected for the main prizes.
SPECIAL PRIZE FROM THE MOZART SOCIETY OF MUNICH
The Mozart Society of Munich e. V. is awarding a special prize of €1,000 to the semi-finalist Carlos Martin Esteve.
HENLE-URTEXTPRIZE
G. Henle Verlag is awarding special prizes in the string quartet category, totalling €6,000, in the form of prizes in kind and cash prizes to Viatores Quatrtet, Katarina String Quartet and Quartet Fugue.
SPECIAL AWARD FROM MASSATELIER MARILLON
The Marillon bespoke tailor’s, which specialises in creating concert attire for musicians, is awarding a special prize to the winner Viatores Quartets for the creation of a bespoke stage wardrobe worth €2,500.
JEUNESSES MUSICALES DEUTSCHLAND AWARD
The award consists of a grant enabling a
string quartet to take part in the JM International Chamber Music Campus from 8 to 19 September 2027 at Weikersheim Castle: Quartett HANA