26.09. to 04.10.2026
International organ competition in three rounds, organised by the University of Music Lübeck (MHL) and the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg for up to 20 participants on the organs in Lübeck St. Jakobi (Stellwagen organ, Richborn-Positiv, Great Organ) and Hamburg (St. Jacobi, Schnitger organ)

Application deadline
1 June 2026  

Prizes
1st prize: 8,000 Euro
2nd prize: 5,000 Euro
3rd prize: 3,000 Euro  

Jury
Pieter van Dijk (Netherlands, chairman without voting rights)
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)

Selection round
Video recording of the following programme:

• Dieterich Buxtehude: Praeludium ex g BuxWV 150 or BuxWV 148
• Johann Sebastian Bach: a 1st and 2nd movement or a 2nd and 3rd movement from the organ sonatas in C minor BWV 526 or E minor BWV 528

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

1st round
St. Jakobi zu 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

Semifinals
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 verses)
• Dieterich Buxtehude: "Te Deum laudamus" BuxWV 218

Finale
St. Jakobi zu Lübeck

• Concert programme Jakobi zu Lübeck Concert programme of a maximum length of 45 minutes,
• played on two of the historic instruments of the Jakobikirche (Stellwagen organ and Great organ or Stellwagen organ and Richborn positive)

Must include:

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

No works from the previous rounds may be played.

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

The following application documents must be submitted online:

• Completed application form
• Copy/scan of ID/passport
• Recommendation from current teacher
• Musical CV including details of examinations
• Artist photo (9 x 13 cm)

Closing date
1 June 2026

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

Participation fee
The participation fee is 100 Euro and must be paid after admission to the competition by 15 July 2026.

Procedure
The competition consists of three rounds: The first round, like the final round, will take place in St Jakobi zu Lübeck. The semi-final will be held in St. Jacobi Hamburg. The competition is open to the public and can be recorded by radio and television and photographed by the press. In this case, participants waive all associated rights and fees.

Prizes
1st prize 8,000 Euro
2nd prize 5,000 Euro
3rd prize 3,000 Euro

Each finalist will receive a "finalist diploma". The jury is not obliged to award prizes. Prizes may not be shared, but may be awarded twice. The jury's decisions are final.

Concerts of the competition
Concerts with the jurors of the competition will be announced in good time. The final will take place in the form of public finalist concerts in St Jakobi Lübeck. The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, 3 October at 7 pm in St. Jakobi Lübeck as part of a festive concert performed by the competition winners.

Information on the instruments/dispositions
Detailed information on the competition instruments will soon be available here.

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

Accommodation
Free accommodation will be arranged for participants who have reached the final for the duration of their participation.

Buxtehude Organ Competition
Große Petersgrube 21
23552 Lübeck

Prof. Arvid Gast
T: +49 (0)451-1505-100
F: +49 (0)451-1505-301
Mail to Buxtehude-Organ-Competition