2026 – String quartet composition competition
The Bartók World Competition 2026 with a total prize fund of €10,000 invited submissions of original string quartet works (6–8 minutes) inspired by the spirit of Béla Bartók.
In September, a pre-selection jury consisting of professors of the Liszt Academy will review the submitted works and forward the 15 best pieces to the international jury, chaired by renowned Swedish composer Anders Hillborg. The pseudonyms of the shortlisted composers will be published on our website at the end of September. The international jury will decide the final rankings in October, and the results will be announced publicly at the Award Ceremony and Gala Concert on 29 November 2026 in the Solti Hall, where prize-winning works will be premiered. The event will be broadcast live on Liszt Academy’s YouTube channel.
Contestants will be kept continuously informed by the Competition Secretariat of the decisions of the pre-selection jury and the international jury, too.
