The list of Concours de Genève prize-winners is a rollcall of many of the greatest musicians including Martha Argerich (1957), Arturo Benedetti-Michelangeli (1939), Kevin Chen (2022), Victoria De Los Angeles (1947), Alan Gilbert (1994), Nelson Goerner (1990), Friedrich Gulda (1946), Heinz Holliger (1959), Nobuko Imai (1968), Elizaveta Ivanova (2023), Quatuor Melos (1966), Novo Quartet (2023), Emmanuel Pahud 1992), Maurizio Pollini (1957; 1958), Georg Solti (1941; 1942), Michiaki Ueno (2021), José Van Dam (1964), Gilles Vonsattel (2006), Christian Zacharias (1969), Tabea Zimmermann (1982) – and many more.
Click here to see the recent winners of the Concours de Genève and here to see the full list of winners since 1939.
In 2026, the Concours de Genève celebrates its 80th Anniversary edition with the Conducting Competition returning for the first time since 1994! It is held alongside the Composition Competition.
Founded in 1939, the Concours de Genève is one of the world’s leading international music competitions. Its mission is to discover, promote and support talented young artists, providing them with the necessary tools to launch an international career.
The Concours de Genève’s multi-disciplinary approach is one of its most distinctive features. Among some forty instruments presented since its creation, a few key disciplines are offered each year in rotation: piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, cello, viola, string quartet, voice, and percussion. Composition takes place every second year.
In addition to its official prizes, the Concours de Genève offers a Career Development Programme, in partnership with Sartory Artists, which provides laureates with the support and guidance they need to develop their artistic personality and launch their careers. Its features include two years of management and coaching, as well as recordings, international tours and workshops. More information here.
| Sections | Composition, Conductor |
| Finals | 11 - 13 Nov 2026 |
| Where | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Age groups | Composers born after 11 November 1986 & conductors born after 13 November 1991 |
CONDUCTING COMPETITION 2025/26
- Video preselection: 17 - 18 May 2025, Geneva
- First round: 31 October - 1 November 2025, Auditorium Ansermet
- Second round: 2-3 November 2025, Auditorium Ansermet
- Semi-final - part 1: 7 November 2026, Concorde Espace Culture
- Semi-final - part 2: 8 November 2026, Concorde Espace Culture
- Semi-final - part 3: 9 November 2026, Victoria Hall
- Final round - part 1: 10-11 November 2026, Victoria Hall
- Final round - part 2: 12-13 November 2026, Victoria Hall
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
In 2025 and 2026, the Concours de Genève is organising a conducting competition! Candidates born after 13 November 1991 will have until 7 May to register for the competition, which will take place over two years.
JURY MEMBERS
The jury members include Bertrand de Billy (Chair - final round only), Mark Stringer (Vice-Chair), Baldur Brönnimann, Martin Campbell-White, Unsuk Chin (final round only), Laurent Gay, Sarah Nemtanu, Eva Ollikainen, Peter Oundjian, Natalia Ponomarchuk, Arturo Tamayo and Wingsie Yip.
OFFICIAL PRIZES
- First prize chf 20,000.-
- Second prize chf 12,000.-
- Third prize chf 8,00.-
SPECIAL PRIZES
- Semi-finalist prize chf 3,000.−
- Audience prize chf 1,500.-
- Young audience prize chf 1,000.–
- Students' prize chf 1000.–
COMPOSITION COMPETITION 2026
- 12 February: Application deadline
- 12 - 14 March: Selection of the finalists
- 15 March: Announcement of the finalists
- May (dates to be confirmed): Workshop with the six Conducting Competition semi-finalists
- 9 November: Welcome Ceremony in Geneva
- 10 November, Victoria Hall: Rehearsals with the OSR
- 11 November, Victoria Hall: Dress rehearsal and Final
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The 80th Concours de Genève is dedicated to Composition & Conducting and will be held from 7-13 November 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Composition Competition is open to candidates born after 11 November 1986.
JURY MEMBERS
The jury members for the composition competition will include Unsuk Chin (Chair), Toshio Hosokawa, Magnus Lindberg, Augusta Read Thomas and Katharina Rosenberger.
OFFICIAL PRIZES
- First prize chf 15,000.-
- Second prize chf 10,000.-
- Third prize chf 5,000.-
SPECIAL PRIZES
- Nicati-de luze prize chf 3'000.–
- Audience prize chf 1,500.-
- Young audience prize chf 1000.–
- Students' prize chf 1000.–
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
In addition to its official prizes, Concours de Genève laureates are offered an ambitious career development programme, providing precious support and advice to help boost their careers. This includes management representation, personal coaching, two years of international concert tours, with one winner given the opportunity to record an album, on the La Dolce Volta label.
