Blab Music
Kreutzer International Music Competition 2026 Announces Winners Across Four Categories
The 2026 edition of the Kreutzer International Music Competition, staged from 4 to 8 August in Ghent, Belgium, has released its final results. The event unfolded in the MIRY Concert Hall and the Ghent Royal Conservatory, drawing participants from across the globe and offering four distinct categories: chamber music, and three violin divisions divided by age limits—Category A (maximum 12 years), Category B (maximum 17 years), and Category C (maximum 33 years). The announcement underscores the competition’s continued role as a launchpad for emerging string talent.
In the chamber music division, the jury chose not to award a first‑place prize, a decision that signals the high standards expected by the judges. Instead, Duo Kang and Duo Lynn‑Gatti shared the second‑place honor, while Duo Komarovas took third place. The absence of a first prize is a rare but deliberate statement, reflecting the jury’s belief that no ensemble reached the level of excellence required for that top distinction.
The violin categories delivered a clear hierarchy of winners and prizes. In Category A, South Korean Jeongin Seo secured first place and a bow valued at €800. American Florence Lau earned second place and a violin case worth €500, and Dutch violinist Emanuel Akopian received third place and strings worth €300.
Category B saw Austrian‑Japanese violinist Kai Gergov win first place and a €1,000 award. Hong Kong’s Yeuk Fu Kate Lai claimed second place with a €700 prize. Two third‑place prizes were awarded to Ukrainian Kornii Sheldunov and Chinese Wanran Zhang, both recognized for their technical skill and musicality.
The oldest division, Category C, awarded first place and a €1,500 prize to Chinese violinist Yige Chen. American Sasha Parker took second place and a €1,000 award, while South Korean Jinyoung Yoon earned third place and a €600 prize.
The jury, co‑chaired by Yuri Zhislin and Lisa Jacobs, also included Wibert Aerts, Hrachya Avanesyan, Alessandro Cervino, Xiao Liu, David Makhmudov, Eric Sluys, and Yi Zhong. Their collective expertise spans performance, pedagogy, and musicology, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of each participant’s artistry.
The Kreutzer International Music Competition has long been an internationally recognized event that invites young violinists and string chamber ensembles from around the world. Its 2026 iteration continued the tradition of rigorous assessment and high‑level performance, offering participants a platform to gain exposure and recognition. The diverse roster of winners—spanning South Korea, the United States, the Netherlands, Austria, Japan, Hong Kong, Ukraine, and China—highlights the competition’s global reach.
Monetary awards and instrument accessories—bows, cases, strings—serve as tangible rewards and practical support for the winners’ ongoing development. The prizes, ranging from €500 to €1,500, provide both financial assistance and professional equipment that can enhance future performances.
Looking ahead, the next edition of the competition is scheduled for 2029. Organizers anticipate maintaining the event’s focus on fostering young musicians and upholding rigorous artistic standards. Participants and audiences alike will be eager to see how the Kreutzer continues to shape the careers of emerging string talent.
For more information on the competition’s history, future dates, or detailed results, interested parties can consult the official Kreutzer International Music Competition website or contact the event organizers directly.
In the chamber music division, the jury chose not to award a first‑place prize, a decision that signals the high standards expected by the judges. Instead, Duo Kang and Duo Lynn‑Gatti shared the second‑place honor, while Duo Komarovas took third place. The absence of a first prize is a rare but deliberate statement, reflecting the jury’s belief that no ensemble reached the level of excellence required for that top distinction.
The violin categories delivered a clear hierarchy of winners and prizes. In Category A, South Korean Jeongin Seo secured first place and a bow valued at €800. American Florence Lau earned second place and a violin case worth €500, and Dutch violinist Emanuel Akopian received third place and strings worth €300.
Category B saw Austrian‑Japanese violinist Kai Gergov win first place and a €1,000 award. Hong Kong’s Yeuk Fu Kate Lai claimed second place with a €700 prize. Two third‑place prizes were awarded to Ukrainian Kornii Sheldunov and Chinese Wanran Zhang, both recognized for their technical skill and musicality.
The oldest division, Category C, awarded first place and a €1,500 prize to Chinese violinist Yige Chen. American Sasha Parker took second place and a €1,000 award, while South Korean Jinyoung Yoon earned third place and a €600 prize.
The jury, co‑chaired by Yuri Zhislin and Lisa Jacobs, also included Wibert Aerts, Hrachya Avanesyan, Alessandro Cervino, Xiao Liu, David Makhmudov, Eric Sluys, and Yi Zhong. Their collective expertise spans performance, pedagogy, and musicology, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of each participant’s artistry.
The Kreutzer International Music Competition has long been an internationally recognized event that invites young violinists and string chamber ensembles from around the world. Its 2026 iteration continued the tradition of rigorous assessment and high‑level performance, offering participants a platform to gain exposure and recognition. The diverse roster of winners—spanning South Korea, the United States, the Netherlands, Austria, Japan, Hong Kong, Ukraine, and China—highlights the competition’s global reach.
Monetary awards and instrument accessories—bows, cases, strings—serve as tangible rewards and practical support for the winners’ ongoing development. The prizes, ranging from €500 to €1,500, provide both financial assistance and professional equipment that can enhance future performances.
Looking ahead, the next edition of the competition is scheduled for 2029. Organizers anticipate maintaining the event’s focus on fostering young musicians and upholding rigorous artistic standards. Participants and audiences alike will be eager to see how the Kreutzer continues to shape the careers of emerging string talent.
For more information on the competition’s history, future dates, or detailed results, interested parties can consult the official Kreutzer International Music Competition website or contact the event organizers directly.
