As one of the most prominent Hungarian musicians of the 20th century, Sir Georg Solti (1912–97) captivated huge audiences, on stage and in a prolific recording career, often as many listeners’ introduction to classical music. Solti became a role model for musicians worldwide – so it is fitting that his name has been attached to one of the more prominent conducting competitions in recent years, relaunching in Solti’s hometown of Budapest for 2026.
The Solti International Conducting Competition features the cream of Hungarian classical music, with the Hungarian National Philharmonic participating, together with the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Pannon Philharmonic from Pécs, in southwestern Hungary, where a round of the competition will be held in the Concert Hall of the Kodály Centre. The rest of the competition takes place at the capital, in the Liszt Academy and the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall at Müpa Budapest.
This new Solti Competition is primarily organised by Müpa, together with Hungarian public media. Previously, a similarly named competition was held in Frankfurt, by the hr-Sinfonieorchester and the orchestra of Frankfurt’s Alte Oper. The patron was Ann Valerie, Lady Solti, Sir Georg’s widow, who passed away in 2021. This competition offered an early break to many conductors who have gone on to significant careers – including James Gaffigan, Tomáš Netopil and Eugene Tzigane, among others.
This new Budapest edition is under new patronage: specifically, illustrious Japanese conductor Ken-Ichiro Kobayashi, former chief conductor of the Hungarian National Philharmonic, and longtime friend Hungary after winning the first International Conductors Competition on Hungarian television in 1974. More recently he was appointed Hungary’s Ambassador for Culture.
The jury itself is chaired by Pinchas Steinberg, currently chief conductor of the Budapest Philharmonic, Hungary’s oldest active orchestra. Another key figure on the jury is György Vashegyi, current general music director of the Hungarian National Philhamonic and an influential practitioner of period-instrument performance. Others on the jury include popular young Estonian conductor Anu Tali, former chief of the Sarasota Orchestra; Mikko Franck, former music director of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France; and Roberto Abbado, music director at Valencia’s Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia.
The competition’s format is close to many existing events. After pre-selection from video submissions, 24 applicants will proceed to the first round, held from 1st October in Pécs. Conductors will present two works from Stravinsky, Dohnányi, Kodály and Bartók, selected at random the night before. The semi-final and final proceed similarly, with the semi-final featuring Mozart and Puccini arias and a contemporary piece, and the final held as part of Liszt Fest International Cultural Festival at Müpa Budapest on 9th October. Repertoire for the final includes works by Verdi, Mussorgsky and Dukas as well as pieces by Hungarian composers.
The prominence of Hungarian repertoire – as well as three Hungarian orchestras in three different venues – sets this new Solti Competition out as distinctive. The competition will also be broadcast, on Bartók Radio and TV channel M5, part of MTVA, the Hungarian public service broadcaster and a competition partner, echoing Ken-Ichiro Kobayashi’s early triumph on Hungarian television. Short films and interviews with participants will accompany the performances within the competition’s three rounds.
While there are no restrictions on nationality, there is an age restriction: applicants must be under 35 (born after 11th October 1991). First prize is €20,000, with the second and third prizes being €12,000 and €8,000. An audience prize of €3,000 will also be awarded.
The competition doesn’t include a job or fellowship as part of its awards, though it does promise invitations and opportunities to perform from invited heads of organisations, festival directors and managers. The final awards gala will be held on 10th October 2026.
Applications will be accepted from 1st December to 20th March, before pre-selection by the preliminary jury.
More information about the Solti International Conducting Competition.
See upcoming events at Müpa Budapest.
This article was sponsored by Wavemaker Hungary – MÜPA.
