Miha Zhu Crowned Victor at 2026 Leipzig Bach Competition
The 2026 Leipzig Bach Competition, dedicated to the violin, concluded on March 21st with German violinist Miha Zhu taking home the first prize. The competition, formerly known as the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition Leipzig, was held at the Lutherkirche in Leipzig, Germany.
A Trio of Rising Stars
Zhu, 29, impressed the jury with her performance, earning a €20,000 prize, the €2,000 audience prize, the Bärenreiter Urtext Prize (€500 voucher) and a tailor-made stage outfit valued at €2,500.
French violinist Céleste Lingelschmitt, 23, secured the second prize of €10,000, along with a four-year loan of a reproduction Baroque violin from the Christa Bach Marschall Foundation. Dutch violinist Cosima Soulez-Lavière, likewise 29, claimed the third prize of €5,000.
Concert Engagements and Special Recognition
All three winning violinists will perform at the 2026 Leipzig Bachfest and the Im Zeichen Bach concert series in Bruneck, Italy. This provides invaluable performance opportunities for these emerging artists.
Additional prizes were awarded to German violinist Moë Dierstein, 20, who received a €1,000 grant for a masterclass, and Greek violinist Phoebe Rousochatzaki, 26, who will have access to a modern violin on loan for four years from the Christa Bach Marschall Foundation.
Jury and Artistic Direction
The competition’s jury was led by Reinhard Goebel and included prominent figures such as Rachel Barton Pine, Eleonore Büning, Friedemann Eichhorn, Rachel Podger, Johannes Pramsohler, and Kathrin Rabus. Artistic director Michael Maul noted the exceptional challenge posed by the repertoire, particularly Bach’s Chaconne, calling it the “Mount Everest of violin music.”
Miha Zhu’s Background
Miha Zhu currently studies with Natalia Prishpenko at the Carl Maria von Weber School of Music Dresden. She is an alumna of both the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin and the Berlin University of the Arts, where she studied with Viviane Hagner, Marianne Boettcher, Laticia Honda-Rosenberg, and Eva-Christina Schönweiss. Zhu is also a member of the Staatskapelle Halle and the Halle Handel Festival Orchestra.
The Significance of the Bach Competition
The Leipzig Bach Competition holds a prestigious position in the classical music world, serving as a launchpad for promising violinists. Success in this competition often leads to significant concert opportunities and career advancement.
FAQ
Q: What is the prize money for first place?
A: The first prize is €20,000.
Q: Where was the competition held?
A: The competition was held at the Lutherkirche in Leipzig, Germany.
Q: What is the “Chaconne” mentioned in the article?
A: The “Chaconne” is a particularly challenging piece by Bach, considered by many to be the most difficult piece for solo violin.
Q: Who led the jury for the 2026 competition?
A: Reinhard Goebel led the jury.
Pro Tip: For aspiring violinists, competitions like the Leipzig Bach Competition offer invaluable experience and exposure. Preparation should focus not only on technical proficiency but also on musical interpretation and stage presence.
Did you realize? The competition was formerly known as the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition Leipzig.
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