Competitions › Leipzig Organ Improvisation Competition
Leipzig Organ Improvisation Competition
Next edition
- Edition
- 2026
- Dates
- 6-7 November 2026
- Location
- Nikolaikirche Leipzig
- Registration deadline
- 1 September 2026
- Fee
- None
Source: nikolaikirche.de
Overview
Organ improvisation competition at the Nikolaikirche Leipzig, run with the Leipzig music university, for organists up to age 32. Up to six candidates are selected from audio recordings for a public semi-final and final in which the audience decides the placings.
- Organiser
- Nikolaikirche Leipzig and Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Leipzig (prizes funded by Porsche)
- Instruments
- Organ & harpsichord
- Category
- Organ
- Age limits
- Up to completed 32nd year of age
Rules & repertoire
Registration & fee
By e-mail with short CV and audio file; no entry fee; travel and accommodation not covered.
Rounds & time limits
- Pre-selection: audio file (2 improvisations, 10-12 min each)
- Semi-final: public, about 10 min
- Final: public, about 20 min; audience decides placings
Repertoire
Pre-selection: two contrasting improvisations (10-12 min each) on self-chosen themes or songs; semi-final and final tasks set ad hoc.
Jury & prizes
Jury
- Martin Schmeding (pre-selection)
- Markus Eichenlaub (pre-selection)
- Gereon Krahforst
- Thomas Lennartz (semi-final)
- Martin Sturm (semi-final)
Prizes
- 1st prize: EUR 3,000
- 2nd prize: EUR 2,000
- 3rd prize: EUR 1,000
Past editions
Not published on the official pages we could check.Summarised from official sources, last checked 11 Nov 2026. Main source