New Zealand organist Rebecca Lee wins the International Schnitger Organ Competition in Alkmaar
New Zealand organist Rebecca Lee triumphed on Thursday evening at the International Schnitger Organ Competition in Alkmaar, part of the Organ Festival Holland, held from 18 to 27 June. In the thrilling final round, Lee outperformed Dutch organist Diederik Blankesteijn and British finalist Josef Laming. She received the Schnitger Prize, worth €5,000. Blankesteijn was awarded the second prize, the Van Hagerbeer Prize (€2,500), as well as the Audience Prize, the Izaak Kingma Prize.
Laming took third place and received the Friends of the Organ Prize (€1,500).
For the final, competitors could choose from works by Tielman Susato, Bernard Foccroulle, and J.S. Bach. The distinguished jury included international experts Suzanne Z’Graggen, Bine Bryndorf, Arvid Gast, Bernard Winsemius, and Enrico Viccardi.
Following Italian organist Luca Akaeda Santesson’s victory in 2023, this year’s competition once again highlighted the event’s international prestige and its commitment to excellence in organ performance, bridging historical mastery and contemporary artistry.
