International Theobald Böhm Competition for Flute and Alto Flute
ABOUT THE COMPETITION:
Founded in 2006, the International Theobald Böhm Competition for Flute and Alto Flute honors the extraordinary legacy of Theobald Böhm (1794–1881), the inventor of the modern flute system and one of the most influential figures in the history of the instrument.
Organized by the Theobald Böhm Society and the Theobald Böhm Donation, under the direction of Ludwig Böhm, Theobald Böhm’s great-great-grandson, the competition is held every three years in Munich, Germany. It welcomes outstanding young flutists from around the world and is distinguished by its unique combination of artistic excellence, historical scholarship, and celebration of Böhm’s musical and scientific achievements.
Unlike most international flute competitions, the event features both the concert flute and the alto flute, awarding a special prize for excellence on the alto flute and encouraging performers to explore a broader spectrum of the flute repertoire. The competition also promotes rediscovered nineteenth-century works, lectures, exhibitions, and concerts dedicated to Böhm’s life, compositions, innovations, and lasting influence on flute making.
Since its inaugural edition, the competition has established an outstanding international reputation, attracting exceptional young artists from across the globe. Its laureates include Łukasz Długosz, Martin Belič, Luc Mangholz, Shangcong Lu, Metka Crnugelj, and Haeun Kim, many of whom have gone on to successful international performing careers.
More than a performance competition, the International Theobald Böhm Competition serves as an international celebration of the instrument’s history, craftsmanship, and artistic future, making it one of the most distinctive events in today’s flute world.
2025 Competition Highlights
Participants: 68 flutists from 20 countries
Jury: Martin Belič (chair), Aldo Baerten, Sung-hyun Cho, Matvey Demin, Anton Kushnir, Iva Lubomirova, Nihan Atalay
Laureates:
- 1st Prize – Haeun Kim (South Korea)
- 2nd Prize – Anamarijah Lajh (Slovenia)
- 3rd Prize – Ana Tutić (Croatia)
- Special Prize for Alto Flute in G – Anamarijah Lajh
- Best Participant Under 20 – Chaeun Kim (South Korea)
Highlights: Jurors’ concert featuring rediscovered 19th-century works, Ludwig Böhm’s 144-slide lecture, and a memorial concert at Theobald Böhm’s grave.
Prizes
- Monetary awards (€5,000, €3,000, €2,000)
- Instrumental prizes (headjoints and accessories from sponsors)
- Special prizes for alto flute performance and young flutists
Laureates of Previous Competitions
2025
🥇 Haeun Kim (South Korea) – 1st Prize
🥈 Anamarijah Lajh (Slovenia) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Ana Tutić (Croatia) – 3rd Prize
2022
🥇 Metka Crnugelj (Slovenia) – 1st Prize
🥈 Jeongyeon Lee (South Korea) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Eva Faganelj (Slovenia) – 3rd Prize
2019
🥇 Shangcong Lu (China) – 1st Prize
🥈 Wakizaka Fu (Japan) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Guillermo González González (Spain) – 3rd Prize
2016
🥇 Luc Mangholz (France) – 1st Prize
🥈 Jasper Goh (Singapore) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Natalia Karaszewska (Poland) – 3rd Prize
2011
🥇 Martin Belič (Slovenia) – 1st Prize
🥈 Egor Egorkin (Russia) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Chaiwon Ra (South Korea) – 3rd Prize
2006
🥇 Łukasz Długosz (Poland) – 1st Prize
🥈 Jozef Hamernik (Slovakia) – 2nd Prize
🥉 Manfred Ludwig (Germany) – 3rd Prize