ARD International Music Competition

About the Competition

Founded in 1952, the ARD International Music Competition in Munich has become one of the world’s most distinguished events for young classical musicians. Organized under the auspices of Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Broadcasting), it continues a tradition that began with the post-war “Competition for Young Soloists” in Frankfurt (1947–1950). Since then, it has evolved into a prestigious global platform for artistic excellence.

Each September, the ARD Competition brings together emerging musicians from around the world to compete in a rotating selection of categories, including instrumental, vocal, and chamber music disciplines. Many of today’s most celebrated artists—such as Mitsuko Uchida, Jessye Norman, Sol Gabetta, Christoph Eschenbach, Christian Tetzlaff, Heinz Holliger, and Thomas Quasthoff — first came to international attention through this competition.

For flutists, the ARD Competition is regarded as one of the most significant and career-defining events worldwide. Its demanding structure includes Pre-selection, First, Second, Semifinal, and Final rounds, with performances in collaboration with the Munich Chamber Orchestra (Semifinal, without conductor) and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (Final).

All stages of the competition are broadcast and streamed globally via BR-KLASSIK, ensuring outstanding international visibility for participants. Winners are invited to perform at the annual Festival of Prizewinners, appear with leading orchestras, and often go on to occupy prominent positions in major ensembles and conservatories.

The ARD Competition also actively promotes contemporary music, commissioning new works from distinguished composers since 2001, further expanding the artistic and creative horizons of its participants.

Laureates of Previous Competitions

2022
🥇 Yubeen Kim (South Korea) – 1st Prize
🥈 Mario Bruno (Italy) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Leonie Virginia Bumüller (Germany) – 3rd Prize

2015
🥇 Sebastian Jacot (Switzerland) – 1st Prize
🥈 Francisco Lopez (Spain) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Eduard Belmar (Spain) – 3rd Prize

2010
🥇 Loïc Schneider (France) – 1st Prize
🥈 Daniela Koch (Austria) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Kim Sooyun (South Korea / USA) – 3rd Prize

2004
🥇 Magali Mosnier (France) – 1st Prize
🥈 Pirmin Grehl (Germany) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Andrea Oliva (Italy) – 3rd Prize

2000
🥈 Henrik Wiese (Germany) – 2nd Prize
🥈 Rozália Szabó (Hungary) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Kersten McCall (Germany) – 3rd Prize

1995
🥈 Davide Formisano (Italy) – 2nd Prize
🥈 Sabine Kittel (Germany) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Marina Leguay (France) – 3rd Prize

1990
🥇 Petri Alanko (Finland) – 1st Prize
🥈 Michael-Martin Kofler (Austria) – 2nd Prize

1985
🥈 Eric Kirchhoff (France) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Gaby Pas-Van Riet (Netherlands) – 3rd Prize
🥉 Sanae Nakayama (Japan) – 3rd Prize

1979
🥉 Hideaki Sakai (Japan) – 3rd Prize
🥉 Shigenori Kudo (Japan) – 3rd Prize

1974
🥈 Abbie de Quant (Netherlands) – 2nd Prize
🥈 Roswitha Staege (Germany) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Irena Grafenauer (Yugoslavia) – 3rd Prize

1970
🥈 Valentin Zverev (USSR) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Gunther Pohl (Germany) – 3rd Prize
🥉 Lô Angelloz (France) – 3rd Prize

1964
🥈 Paula Robinson (USA) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Sylvia Navarro (Uruguay) – 3rd Prize

1960
🥇 Paul Meisen (Germany) – 1st Prize
🥈 Hirohiko Kato (Japan) – 2nd Prize
🥈 Michel Debost (France) – 2nd Prize

1953
🥇 Konrad Hampe (Germany) – 1st Prize
🥇 Peter-Lukas Graf (Switzerland) – 1st Prize