The 33rd St. Albans International Organ Festival and Competitions took place July 7–19 in St. Albans Cathedral and other venues in London, UK. The festival features competitions in interpretation and improvisation alongside twenty concerts and recitals. The fifteen interpretation and six improvisation competitors gathered from eleven countries.
First prize for interpretation of £12,000 with recital engagements was awarded to Alexis Grizard (France). Grizard was also awarded £1,000 for the best performance of the commissioned work by Jean-Baptiste Robin. Second prize of £5,000 was presented to Grant Smith (United States). Second prize for improvisation was given to Bernard Hauk (Germany). (First prize for improvisation was not awarded.) The audience prize of £1,000 was presented to Aleksanteri Wallius (Finland). The Peter Hurford Bach Prize of £2,500 was awarded to Andoni Andrada (Spain). The Douglas May Award of £1,000 for the best performance of a competition work in the quarter-final or semi-final rounds went to Ádám Tabajdi (Hungary).
The jury consisted of Simon Harden (Ireland), Nathan Laube (United States), Jakyung Oh (South Korea), Margaret Phillips (UK), Robert Quinney (UK), Jean-Baptiste Robin (France), and Martin Schmeding (Germany).
For information: organfestival.com.
Pictured in the photo: Prizewinners (front row): Grant Smith, Alexis Grizard, Ádám Tabajdi, Aleksanteri Wallius, Bernard Hauk, Andoni Andrada (photo credit: Stephen Boffey)
Other competition news:
Perpignan Carillon Composition Contest
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