The winners of Alkmaar 2009

from left: Davis Boos, Bart Jacobs and Michael Unger

The winners of Freiberg 2009

from left: Gilles Leyers, Gijs Boelen and David Schlaffke

ECHO promotes young organists.

With the introduction of the honorary award of 'ECHO Young Organist of the Year', the ECHO organisation is providing a visible commitment to supporting the careers of the young prize winners at the member cities' competitions.  Unfortunately, the winning of an international competition no longer guarantees the laureate an international career. This is partly as a consequence of the sheer number of competitions which now exist. ECHO is providing, therefore, a new stimulus: the member cities will invite the 'Young Organist of the Year' to perform during their respective festivals and concert series, offering valuable experience of concert-giving on important European historic organs.

The first ECHO Young Organist was the Frenchman Yoann Tardivel-Erchoff, who won the first prize at the Xavier Darasse Competition in Toulouse in 2008. He will now be succeeded by the Luxembourg organist Gilles Leyers, winner of the 2009 Silbermann Competition in Freiberg. 

In 2010, the winner of the Hofhaimer Prize in Innsbruck will carry the title.  

ECHO has invited Gilles Leyers to participate in the presentation of 'Nuove Fiori Musicali', an album of 11 new compositions for historic organs, published by the Viennese house of Doblinger. This festive presentation will take place in Vienna on the 16th of April.

Early music competitions for organists join forces

Three of the member cities of ECHO (European  Cities of Historic Organs) Akmaar, Freiberg, and Innsbruck, are currently working together to develop their renowned organ competitions. All three of the competitions are  noted for their exclusive use of historic organs, and for their  emphasis on the performance of early music.

The prize winners of the International Schnitger Organ Competition in  Alkmaar in 2009, the Silbermann Competition in Freiberg in 2009 and  the Hofhaimer Competition in Innsbruck in 2010 will be invited to  take part in the Grand Prix d'ECHO which will be held  in Alkmaar during Orgelfestival Holland 2011.

The winner will receive the title of "ECHO Young  Organist of the Year" and will be invited to perform at  the various festivals of the ECHO member cities.

The invited prizewinners at present are:

The 3 finalists of Alkmaar

The 5 finalists of Freiberg

The 3 finalists of Innsbruck