The 12th International Chamber Music Competition “Franz Schubert and Modern Music” concluded on 15 February 2025 at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. This six-day event featured three rigorous rounds, culminating in a gala concert where the winners were awarded their prizes.
The top prizes were claimed by Duo Felsberga and Eckhaut (Lied Duo), Trio Brontë (Piano Trio) and Piano Duo Kalabova
and Gugg (Piano Duo, organised as a new competition category for the first time since 1992). Notably, Trio Brontë also received the coveted CD Production and Promotion Prize. Duo Felsberga and Eckhaut won a special prize for the best interpretation of a commissioned work by composer Annette Schlünz, and Duo Panova Gobbini won the prize for the best interpretation of a work by a female composer. Additionally, Duo Noh and Pfahler were honoured with the Stacey Bartsch Memorial Prize for the best interpretation of a Lied by Franz Schubert or Anselm Hüttenbrenner.
What sets this prestigious competition apart is not only its rigorous selection process but also its commitment to fostering the careers of its winners. In addition to a share of the €80,000 prize fund, first-place ensembles benefit from a year-long career coaching programme, equipping them with the tools to navigate the world of a professional musician. A further highlight was the International Composition Competition for Piano Trio, where Chinese composer Xiaowen Lei’s piece Fields, Cities, Skies and Ruins was performed for the first time by all piano trios in the semi-final in his presence.
With 325 applicants from 44 nations, the event highlighted an exceptional display of international talent. Performances were assessed by a distinguished panel of 25 jurors, including renowned figures such as Arie Vardi (Israel), Samuel Hasselhorn (Germany) and Vincent Coq (France). Adding to the competition’s uniqueness, invited composers provided finalists with the rare chance to rehearse new works directly with their creators. In the Lied Duo category, finalists had only 36 hours to rehearse Annette Schlünz’s commissioned piece before performing it in the final.
The 13th edition of the competition will take place in 2028 and will mark the 200th anniversary of Franz Schubert’s death. Performances from this year’s event, including the awards ceremony, are available to watch online at
schubert.kug.ac.at/multimedia/2025/videos