Back

Beautiful performances at the Saint-Maurice Organ Competition!

Competitions

The candidates of the Concours International pour Orgues de Saint-Maurice, in Valais, Switzerland have offered brilliant performances and unforgettable moments this summer! This year, the organ being restored at the Abbaye, the competition was relocated in different places: 12 musicians from all over the world gathered in the Church of Saint-Sigismond for the quarter finals; the semi-finals took place in Saint-Martin Church in Vevey and the finals in the Lausanne Cathedral. 

Most importantly, all the performances took place anonymously: the jury, seated in the church, had their backs turned to the candidates, who played in the gallery above the portal.

Tom Rioult, 1st Prize

Anna Spirina, 2nd Prize

Prizes:

First Prize: Tom Rioult

Second Prize and Audience Prize: Anna Spirina

Third Prize: Alexander de Bie

 

Jury: 

Richard Dubugnon (chair); Cindy Castillo; Jean-Christophe Geiser; Andrea Macinanti; Monica Melcova; Vincent Thévenaz; Daniel Zaretsky

The jury gathered 6 specialists of the discipline, chaired by Richard Dubugnon, renown composer. He also is the author of a historical Oratorio on the Saint-Maurice Abbaye: "The Mystery of Agaune". 

The three official prizes were awarded by the Canton du Valais, the City of Saint-Maurice and the Georges Cramer Foundation. This year, besides the competition, the organizers planed numerous concerts, master classes, conferences and guided visits.