The George Enescu International Competition 2026 begins on Sunday, August 23, at 19:00, with a concert at the Romanian Athenaeum. The anniversary edition runs until September 19 and brings young musicians from around the world, established performers, members of international juries and previous competition winners to Bucharest.

For almost a month, audiences can attend the cello, violin and piano rounds, alongside symphonic concerts, chamber recitals and masterclasses. A significant part of the program is free, including the preliminary rounds held at the National University of Music Bucharest.

The anniversary edition brings musicians from 55 countries to Bucharest

The 20th edition of the George Enescu International Competition is held under the theme “In Pursuit of Excellence”. The competition comprises four sections: violin, cello, piano and composition. The program also includes masterclasses in conducting, composition and instrumental performance.

Interest in the 2026 edition has set a new record. According to the official competition organizers, the competition and international masterclass program attracted 819 applications from 55 countries, almost 23% more than the previous edition. Of these, 756 applications were submitted for the competition itself and 63 for the masterclasses.

Following the preliminary selection, 150 young musicians were invited to Bucharest for the live rounds: 50 pianists, 50 violinists and 50 cellists. Competitors will advance through two qualifying rounds, semifinals and finals, with audiences able to follow their performances before the juries select the 2026 winners.

The competition is organized by ARTEXIM, held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania and funded by the Romanian Government through the Ministry of Culture.

The opening concert takes place on August 23 at the Romanian Athenaeum

The official opening is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 19:00, at the Romanian Athenaeum. The Romanian Radio National Orchestra will perform under conductor Cristian Măcelaru, Artistic Director of the George Enescu International Festival and Competition.

Three winners of the 2024 edition will take the stage: violinist Mayumi Kanagawa, cellist Yo Kitamura and pianist Roman Lopatynskyi. The program includes Diego Santamaria’s “The Stone and the Ivy”, Dan Dediu’s “Brahmsodia” — Triple Concerto for violin, cello, piano and orchestra, Op. 169, and George Enescu’s Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 13.

The winners of the Composition Section will also be announced and presented with their awards during the evening. The section’s jury will meet in Bucharest on August 22 and 23 to assess the submitted works.

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Masterclasses and concerts scheduled for August 23–28

The first week is dedicated to the opening concert and international masterclass program. Audiences can attend rehearsals, conducting and composition sessions, as well as instrumental performance classes led by Cristian Măcelaru.

The events are hosted by the Romanian Athenaeum, the Romanian Radio Hall and the National University of Music Bucharest. The schedule published by the organizers includes the following events:

• Sunday, August 23, 19:00 – Romanian Athenaeum: Opening Concert and Composition Section Awards Gala. Romanian Radio National Orchestra, conducted by Cristian Măcelaru. Ticket required.
• Monday, August 24, 10:00 – Romanian Radio Hall: Conducting Masterclass led by Cristian Măcelaru. Open rehearsal from 10:00 to 12:30, followed by Session I from 17:00 to 20:00. The Romanian Youth Orchestra will participate. Free admission.
• Monday, August 24, 14:30 – National University of Music Bucharest: Composition Masterclass, Session I, with Ensemble Couleurs. Scheduled from 14:30 to 16:30. Free admission.
• Tuesday, August 25, 10:00 – Romanian Radio Hall: Conducting Masterclass, Sessions II and III, scheduled for 10:00–12:30 and 17:00–20:00. Free admission.
• Tuesday, August 25, 14:30 – National University of Music Bucharest: Composition Masterclass, Session II, from 14:30 to 16:30. Free admission.
• Wednesday, August 26, 10:00 – Romanian Radio Hall: Open rehearsal from 10:00 to 12:30, followed by Session IV of the Conducting Masterclass from 14:00 to 17:00. Free admission.
• Wednesday, August 26, 14:30 – National University of Music Bucharest: Composition Masterclass, Session III, from 14:30 to 16:30. Free admission.
• Wednesday, August 26, 17:30 – Romanian Athenaeum, Small Hall: Instrumental Performance and Advanced Music Studies Masterclass led by Cristian Măcelaru. Scheduled from 17:30 to 19:00. Free admission.
• Thursday, August 27, 10:00 – Romanian Radio Hall: Conducting Masterclass, Sessions V and VI, scheduled for 10:00–12:30 and 16:00–18:30. Free admission.
• Thursday, August 27, 14:00 – Romanian Athenaeum, Small Hall: Instrumental Performance Masterclass led by Cristian Măcelaru. Scheduled from 14:00 to 15:30. Free admission.
• Thursday, August 27, 18:30 – Romanian Athenaeum: Musical prelude dedicated to the composition and conducting masterclasses, held in the foyer. The final concert of the Composition Section begins at 19:30 in the Great Hall. The Romanian Radio National Orchestra will be conducted by Marin Alsop.
• Friday, August 28, 14:00 – Romanian Athenaeum, Small Hall: Instrumental Performance Masterclass led by Cristian Măcelaru. Scheduled from 14:00 to 15:30. Free admission.
• Friday, August 28, 19:00 – Romanian Athenaeum: Final Concert of the Conducting Masterclass. The concert features the Romanian Youth Orchestra, Cristian Măcelaru and three conductors selected from the active masterclass participants. Ticket required.

The complete schedule, updated by the organizers, can be consulted on the official George Enescu International Competition website.

Cello Section schedule

The instrumental competition begins on August 29 with the Cello Section. The first two rounds take place in the George Enescu Hall at the National University of Music Bucharest and are open to the public free of charge.

The semifinal is divided into two parts. The morning session, dedicated to works by George Enescu with piano accompaniment, is free. The second part features the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra and requires a ticket. The final is held at the Romanian Athenaeum.

• Saturday, August 29, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round I, Day 1. Free admission.
• Sunday, August 30, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round I, Day 2. Free admission.
• Monday, August 31, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round I, Day 3. Free admission.
• Wednesday, September 2, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round II, Day 1. Free admission.
• Thursday, September 3, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round II, Day 2. Free admission.
• Saturday, September 5, 10:00 – Romanian Athenaeum: Cello Section Semifinal. Part I begins at 10:00 and is free. Part II begins at 16:00 and requires a ticket.
• Monday, September 7, 18:00 – Romanian Athenaeum: Cello Section Final. The Romanian Radio National Orchestra will be conducted by Case Scaglione.

Violin Section schedule

The Violin Section begins on September 4, alongside the chamber recital series. The first two rounds take place at the National University of Music Bucharest and can be attended free of charge, subject to venue capacity.

The September 11 semifinal follows the same two-part structure: a morning session featuring works by George Enescu and an afternoon session with the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra. The final is scheduled for September 13.

• Friday, September 4, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round I, Day 1. Free admission.
• Saturday, September 5, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round I, Day 2. Free admission.
• Sunday, September 6, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round I, Day 3. Free admission.
• Tuesday, September 8, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round II, Day 1. Free admission.
• Wednesday, September 9, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round II, Day 2. Free admission.
• Friday, September 11, 10:00 – Romanian Athenaeum: Violin Section Semifinal. Part I begins at 10:00 and is free. Part II begins at 16:00 and requires a ticket.
• Sunday, September 13, 18:00 – Romanian Athenaeum: Violin Section Final. The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by Harry Ogg.

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Piano Section schedule

The final instrumental category of the edition is the Piano Section. The first auditions are scheduled between September 10 and 15 at the National University of Music Bucharest, with free admission for the public.

The semifinal takes place on September 17, while the final closes the anniversary edition on September 19. The finalists will perform alongside the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra.

• Thursday, September 10, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round I, Day 1. Free admission.
• Friday, September 11, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round I, Day 2. Free admission.
• Saturday, September 12, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round I, Day 3. Free admission.
• Monday, September 14, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round II, Day 1. Free admission.
• Tuesday, September 15, 09:00 – National University of Music Bucharest: Round II, Day 2. Free admission.
• Thursday, September 17, 10:00 – Romanian Athenaeum: Piano Section Semifinal. Part I begins at 10:00 and is free. Part II begins at 16:00 and requires a ticket.
• Saturday, September 19, 18:00 – Romanian Athenaeum: Piano Section Final. The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by Daniela Candillari.

Recitals scheduled at the Romanian Athenaeum

Between the competition rounds, the Romanian Athenaeum hosts six chamber recitals featuring jury members and winners of previous editions. These evenings give audiences an opportunity to hear in concert some of the artists who are also evaluating the new generation of musicians.

Tickets are required for the recitals. The organizers state that tickets for the concerts and recitals included in the Enescu Competition are sold exclusively through Eventim.

• Friday, September 4, 19:00: Claudio Bohórquez and Péter Nagy Recital.
• Sunday, September 6, 19:00: Recital by Mihaela Martin, Valentin Răduțiu, Miguel da Silva and Enrico Pace.
• Thursday, September 10, 19:00: Nemanja Radulović and Laure Favre-Kahn Recital.
• Saturday, September 12, 19:00: Recital by Alissa Margulis, Alexei Volodin and Ștefan Cazacu.
• Wednesday, September 16, 19:00: Recital by Marie-Ange Nguci and Hyeonjeong Lee.
• Friday, September 18, 19:00: Nelson Goerner Recital.

The schedule may be subject to change. Before attending, check the time and admission conditions on the official event page. No advance registration is required for events with free admission, although access remains subject to venue capacity.

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