Lotte Cultural Foundation Selects 11 Finalists for International Organ Competition

September 18-27 Preliminary and Final Rounds 진행

Eleven finalists have been selected for the '2nd Korea International Organ Competition' organized by the Lotte Cultural Foundation.

List of Finalists for the 2nd Korea International Organ Competition.
[Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation]

On the 17th, the Lotte Cultural Foundation announced that among the finalists are five Koreans: Min Chaewon, Choi Minji, Lee Minjun, Noh Seonkyung, and Noh Yujin, along with two from the United States, one from Germany, one from France, one from Australia, and one from China.

The finalists will compete in the first round of the finals on September 21 at the Lee Kangsuk Hall of the Korea National University of Arts using the GoArt organ, and in the second round and final on September 24 and 26 at the Lotte Concert Hall using the Rieger organ.

According to the characteristics of the organs owned by each venue, the first round, specialized in Baroque repertoire, will be held at the Korea National University of Arts, while the second round, featuring other repertoires, will take place at the Lotte Concert Hall.

The awards ceremony and winners' recital will be held on September 27 at the Lotte Concert Hall.

The first-place winner will receive a prize of 11 million KRW and an opportunity to perform in planned concerts at the Lotte Concert Hall for the next two years. The second-place winner will receive 5 million KRW, and the third-place winner will receive 3 million KRW. Additionally, a special prize will be awarded to participants who demonstrate outstanding performance and interpretation skills.

Participants from various countries including China, Russia, the United States, Germany, Canada, Poland, Japan, France, the Czech Republic, and Australia applied for this competition. Applicants submitted videos of two designated pieces required for the document screening, along with the recording date, organ location, and a list of organ timbres.

Chairman of the judging panel Oh Ja-kyung, along with judges Shin Dong-il, Wolfgang Zerer (Germany), Martin Jin (USA), and Henry Fairs (UK), conducted video screenings, through which 11 finalists and 2 alternates were selected.

More detailed information about the competition, including designated pieces for the finals and final rounds, can be found on the Lotte Concert Hall website.

Oh Ja-kyung, chairman of the judging panel and professor at the Korea National University of Arts, stated, "The level of the preliminary participants was very high, and above all, the finalists are remarkable for their diverse backgrounds and nationalities, as well as their extensive performance experience, ranging from early thirties to late teens. I have great expectations to see the contestants’ unique and colorful performances on the competition stage."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.