ARD International Music Competition
The ARD International Music Competition () is the largest international classical music competition in Germany. It is organised by the Bayerischer Rundfunk and held once a year in Munich. Since its inception in 1952, it has become one of the most prestigious classical music competitions. It takes place usually in September. It became one of the founding members of the World Federation of International Music Competitions in 1957. A prize at this international competition acted as a springboard for a later career. Notable past winners include: Jessye Norman, Sharon Isbin, Francisco Araiza, Natalia Gutman, Christoph Eschenbach, Anna  Malikova, Nobuko Imai, Mitsuko Uchida, Thomas Quasthoff, Yuri Bashmet, Christian Tetzlaff, Sharon Kam, Heinz Holliger, Isabelle Moretti, Reinhold Friedrich, , and Maurice André. History. Between 1947 and 1950, the Radio Frankfurt held a "Young Soloists Competition". The earliest competition discovered two female vocalists who would soon take their place among the international talented: Christa Ludwig and Erika Köth. Instrumentalists included flautist Karlheinz Zöller and pianist Robert-Alexander Bohnke. The newly founded ARD continued the concept of bringing together talented young musicians from the entire globe. The competition categories alter from year to year to include solo instruments, as well as voice  and chamber ensembles. The importance of including modern music has been very prominent; contemporary composers have regularly been commissioned to write new pieces for this Competition ever since the year 2001. The competition not only stimulates competition among the many musicians but also serves the musical citizens as a centre where musicians can meet. Anywhere from 350 to 450 young musicians apply each year to compete. Some 200 candidates coming from 35 to 40 countries make it past the preliminary round. A large percentage of competitors come from countries other than Germany (up to 86%). The 2020 edition was cancelled  among the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Piano competition had been held almost uninterruptedly from 1952 to 1973, except the years 1955 and 1964. It was then held every other year till 1981. It was held consecutively from 1981 to 1983, and then every other year again till 1999. Categories. In 1953, three categories were added: violin, flute, violin-piano duo. Violin competition was held every 3 years from 1966 to 1984. Four categories were added in 1954: voice, oboe, bassoon, clarinet. The voice competition had been held every year from 1954 to 1972. It was then held every two years  till 2000. Oboe competition had been held every five years from 1976 to 1996. Bassoon competition had been held six times in the 20th century. The competition kept expanding categories in the following years, adding piano duo (1955), horn (1956), cello (1957), organ (1957). New categories in 1958 were cello-piano duo, trumpet, and harpsichord, which would only have three additional editions. String quartet competition opened in 1959. The 1960s saw the first edition of piano trio (1961), viola (1962), trombone (1965), wind quintet (1966). Two categories briefly appeared: string trio (1961, 1969) and piano sight-reading (1963, 1965). Four  categories premiered in the 1970s: guitar (1976), percussion (1977), double bass (1979), and recorder, which was only held twice so far (1978, 1988). The first harp competition was held in 1983, as its only edition in the 20th century. Management. Source Organization "Artistic Directors": Oswald Beaujean and Meret Forster "Managing Director": Elisabeth Kozik "Project Management": Anja Krainz "Public Relations": Ruth Wischmann Prize money. Prize money per category Winners. Full lists of winners can be retrieved from the competition's website. "Voice (female)" 2000s. "Voice (male)" "Viola" "Flute" "Piano Duo" "String Quartet" "Violin" "Cello" "Saxophone" "Percussion" "Wind Quintet" "Bassoon" "Oboe" "Piano  Piano Trio" "Voice (female)" "Voice (male)" "Double Bass" "Clarinet" "Trumpet" "Viola" "Flute" "String Quartet" "Harp" "Violin" "Cello" "Horn" "Piano Duo" "Voice/Opera" "Voice/Lied" "Piano" "Wind Quintet" "Oboe" "Trombone" "Percussion" "Piano Trio" "Viola" "Clarinet" "Bassoon" "String Quartet" "Violin" "Double Bass" "Voice" "Flute" 2010s. "Cello" "Horn" "Piano Duo" "Oboe" "Organ" "Trumpet" "Piano" "Voice (male)" "Voice (female)" "Clarinet" "String Quartet" "Violin" "Viola" "Bassoon" "Piano Trio" "Percussion" "Violoncello" "Wind Quintet" "Piano" Voice "Trombone" "Piano Duo" "Flute" "Harp" "Horn" "Double Bass" "String Quartet" "Violin" Piano "Guitar" "Oboe" "Voice" "Trumpet" "Piano Trio" "Viola" "Violoncello" "Bassoon" "Clarinet" "Percussion"