The 2026 ARD International Music Competition in Munich, Germany—a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC)—has concluded. Marking its 75th edition, this year’s competition featured four disciplines: bassoon, organ, percussion and string quartet. The organ discipline returned to the programme after a 15-year absence.

Notably, Chinese percussionist Xia Yuan won second prize in the percussion category, achieving the best result by a Chinese competitor in the history of the discipline.

Viatores Quartet Takes the Top Prize in the String Quartet Category

The string quartet category was among the highlights of this year’s competition. Following several rounds featuring young ensembles from around the world, Viatores Quartet was awarded first prize and €30,000. Katarina String Quartet and Quartet Fugue shared third prize, receiving €18,000 each. No second prize was awarded.

In addition to first prize, Viatores Quartet received several special awards, including the Audience Prize and the prize for the best performance of the commissioned work. According to the competition’s official website, the commissioned work for the 2026 string quartet semifinal was Impermanence by French composer Camille Pépin, which received its world premiere during the competition. Viatores Quartet also received the special prize associated with the work.

The competition will also provide the quartet with several significant professional opportunities. Viatores Quartet will undertake a concert tour organised by Impresariat Simmenauer GmbH from March 4 to 22, 2027. The ensemble will also appear at the Tölz Winners’ Summit festival in January 2027 and receive a special prize of bespoke concert attire valued at €2,500.

First-Prize Winners Named in All Three Solo Disciplines

In the bassoon category, Italian musician Enrico Bassi won first prize and €15,000. Jappe Dendievel received second prize and €10,000, while Laure Thomas took third prize and €5,000. Bassi also won the “Your Choice” award in the BR-KLASSIK online audience vote.

Gabriel Michaud won first prize in the percussion category, receiving €15,000. Xia Yuan was awarded second prize and €10,000. Michaud also received several other honours, including the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Special Prize and the ARD Klassik Media Prize.

In the returning organ category, British organist William Fielding won first prize and €15,000. Alexis Grizard received second prize and €10,000, while Julian Emanuel Becker took third prize and €5,000.

Organ Returns to the ARD Competition After 15 Years

One of the defining features of this year’s competition was the return of organ as an official discipline after a 15-year absence. According to the competition’s website, several rounds were held at St Michael’s Church in central Munich, providing the contestants with a distinctive architectural and acoustic setting.

The four disciplines featured in 2026 were bassoon, organ, percussion and string quartet. Finals and prizewinners’ concerts were presented in collaboration with ensembles including the Munich Chamber Orchestra and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Founded in 1952, the ARD International Music Competition is one of Germany’s leading international classical music competitions. Its 75th edition featured the return of the organ discipline, the inclusion of chamber-music categories such as string quartet, and juries comprising internationally renowned musicians—reflecting the competition’s broad reach across multiple fields of performance.

The string quartet jury was chaired by violinist Vineta Sareika, a former concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic.