Winners of the Solti International Conducting Competition Announced
12 October 2026
From nearly 400 applicants, the jury selected the four best conductors to compete in the final on 9 October at Müpa Budapest’s Béla Bartók National Concert Hall. In the final stage of the Solti International Conducting Competition, contestants had to demonstrate their abilities by conducting world-famous musical works. The gala also revealed who had won the favour of the jury and the audience.
Of the hundreds of applicants, 21 conductors advanced to the preliminary round of the Solti International Conducting Competition in Pécs, after which ten continued to the semi-final at the Liszt Academy in Budapest. Throughout the rounds, contestants had to prove themselves across a range of musical genres, conducting some of Hungary’s finest orchestras before an international jury. The three-round competition has now concluded. On 9 October, four finalists took to the stage at Müpa Budapest, showcasing their talent with the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra.
The four finalists had another opportunity to demonstrate their skills at the gala concert the following day, when the final results were announced, the Audience Prize was presented and numerous special prizes were awarded to contestants for their outstanding performances.
The jury, chaired by Pinchas Steinberg, decided not to award a first prize. Second prize went to Drummado Wijnhamer (The Netherlands), while third prize was awarded to Yu-Te Wu (Taiwan, China).
Since 7 October, audiences have also been able to vote for their favourite finalist. More than 6,000 votes were cast, with Yu-Te Wu receiving the most votes and taking home the Audience Prize.
At the gala concert, contestants received the following special prizes:
• Universal Edition: the competition’s semi-finalists
• Operabase: the competition’s semi-finalists
• Karsten Witt Musik Management Academy: Drummado Wijnhamer
• Papageno: Apor Szüts
• Miskolc Symphony Orchestra: Yu-Te Wu
• Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra: Yu-Te Wu
• Casa da Música (Porto): Fernando Gaggini
• Pannon Philharmonic: Drummado Wijnhamer, Fernando Gaggini
• Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra: Drummado Wijnhamer
• Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra: Drummado Wijnhamer
The live broadcast of the first Solti International Conducting Competition was followed not only across Europe but around the world. The story of this competition, conceived as the beginning of a new tradition, will continue: the organisers plan to hold the competition for talented emerging conductors again in 2029.
Further information about the winners of the Solti International Conducting Competition is available at:
