The winners of this year's International Bach Competition in Leipzig are three young women. Violinist Miha Zhu from Germany won first prize, as the organizers announced on Sunday. The 29-year-old also received the audience prize, a voucher for sheet music, and a custom-made stage outfit.

Leipzig Bach Prize Winners 2026

Second and third place went to 23-year-old Frenchwoman Céleste Klingelschmitt (baroque violin) and 29-year-old Dutchwoman Cosima Soulez-Larivière (violin). The main prizes are endowed with €20,000 for first prize, €10,000 for second prize, and €5,000 for third prize. The three Bach Prize winners also receive concert engagements. They prevailed against 26 participants from 14 nations.

The Leipzig Bach Competition has been held since 1950 and is one of the most prestigious music competitions worldwide. It is organized by the Bach Archive Leipzig and the Leipzig University of Music and Theatre "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy". Until 2024, the competition was held biennially, alternating between the categories of piano, harpsichord, organ, violin, cello, and voice. Since 2025, it has been held annually, focusing on one category each year. The competition will be held in 2027 and will focus on voice.

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