26.09. until 04.10.2026

International organ competition in three rounds, presented by the University of Music Lübeck and the University of Music and Theatre Hamburg for up to 20 participants at the organs in Lübeck (St. Jakobi: Stellwagen organ, Richborn positiv, Great organ) and Hamburg (St. Jacobi: Schnitger organ).

With the kind support of the Gemeinnützige Sparkassenstiftung and the Dräger Foundation.

Prizes

• 1st prize 10,000 euros
• 2nd prize 5,000 euros
• 3rd prize 3,000 euros

International Jury

• Pieter van Dijk (Netherland, non-voting chairman)
• Isabelle Demers (Canada)
• Monica Melcova (Slovakia/Spain)
• Antonio di Dedda (Italy/Germany)
• Ja Kyung Oh (South Korea)
• Gerhard Löffler (Germany)
• Arvid Gast (Germany)

Video round:

• Franz Danksagmüller (Germany)
• Wolfgang Zerer (Germany)

Closing date

• June 1st 2026

Selection round

Video recording of the following programme

• Dieterich Buxtehude: Praeludium ex g BuxWV 150 or BuxWV 148
• Johann Sebastian Bach: the first and sencond movement or the second and third movement from the organ sonatas C minor BWV 526 or E minor BWV 528

The individual works must be uncut. The recording must be uploaded (not public) to a common video platform (YouTube/Vimeo). The link and, if applicable, the password must be provided.

First round

St. Jakobi Lübeck (Richborn positiv)

• Girolamo Frescobaldi: Bergamasca

St. Jakobi zu Lübeck (Stellwagen organ)

• Franz Tunder: »In dich hab ich gehofft, Herr« or »Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott«
• Dieterich Buxtehude: Praeludium ex C BuxWV 136 or ex a  BuxWV 153

Semifinal

St. Jacobi Hamburg

• Vincent Lübeck: Praeludium ex d or ex g
• Matthias Weckmann: »Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gmein« or »Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ« (3 Verse)
• Dieterich Buxtehude: »Te Deum laudamus« BuxWV 218

Finale

St. Jakobi Lübeck

Concert programme lasting a maximum of 45 minutes, played on two of the historic instruments of St. Jakobi zu Lübeck (Stellwagen organ and Great organ or Stellwagen organ and Richborn positive). The programme must include:

• Representative works by Dieterich Buxtehude and Johann Sebastian Bach,
• the trio sonata by Hugo Distler
• and the commissioned work for the 2026 International Buxtehude Competition Lübeck by Sarah Proske (composed for the Stellwagen organ of St. Jakobi Lübeck, duration: approx. 7 minutes).

No works from previous rounds may be played.

Registration

Registration is possible here between March 1st and June 1st, 2026. Admission to the competition and sending of the commissioned work will take place between 15th and 20th June 2026.

Application documents (to be submitted online):

• completed application form
• Scan of identity card or passport
• recommendation of the current teacher
• musical curriculum vitae with details of examinations
• artist photo (9 x 13 cm)

Closing date

June 1st 2026

maximum of 20 participants born after January 1st, 1995 will be admitted. Notification of admission will be sent together with the necessary payment information for the competition between June 15th and 20th, 2026. 

Participation fee

The participation fee is 100 euros and must be paid after admission to the competition by July 15th, 2026.

Procedure

The competition consists of three rounds: The first round, like the final round, will take place in St. Jakobi in Lübeck. The semifinals (2nd round) will be held in St. Jacobi Hamburg. The competition is open to the public and may be recorded by radio and television and photographed by the press. In this case the participants waive all rights and fees in connection therewith.

Prizes 

• 1st prize 10,000 euros
• 2nd prize 5,000 euros
• 3rd prize 3,000 euros

All finalists will receive a »Finalist Diploma«. The jury is not obliged to award prizes. Prizes may not be shared, but may be awarded twice. The decisions of the jury are final.

Concerts

Concerts featuring the competition jurors will be announced in good time. The final will take the form of public finalists’ concerts at St. Jakobi Lübeck. The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, 3 October at 7 p.m. at St. Jakobi in Lübeck during a gala concert performed by the
competition winners.

Instruments and Dispositions

Information about the instruments can be found in the download below.

Registrants

For the competition, registrants will be made available to participants on request. It is also permitted to bring your own registrants.

Accommodation

For participants who have reached the final, free accommodation will be arranged for the duration of further participation.