Ysaye International Music Competition Final to Be Held in Korea This July

July 10-11 at Icheon Art Hall in Gyeonggi Province
Twenty junior and senior finalists, including three Koreans, to compete

The final round of the "2026 Ysaye International Music Competition" will be held in Korea this coming July.

The organizing committee of the Ysaye International Music Competition has officially announced that this year's violin final will be held on July 10 and 11 at Icheon Art Hall in Gyeonggi Province, PR consulting group Prain Global said on February 23. Prain Global explained that this is the first time that the final round of an international music competition, which had been held overseas, will take place in Korea, and that Korea is also the first country to host the Ysaye International Music Competition final outside its home country. The company further emphasized that this reflects global recognition of the status and infrastructure of Korean classical music, which has recently been sweeping international competitions. The competition's organizing committee has decided to hold the finals in Korea in succession this year and next year, and from 2028 onward, to co-host the finals alternately in Belgium and Korea every other year.

The Ysaye International Music Competition was established to honor the legendary Belgian violinist Eugene Ysaye (1858-1931). The world-renowned Queen Elisabeth Competition was also launched in 1937 to commemorate Ysaye, underscoring his recognition as one of Belgium's greatest violinists. Ysaye is regarded as a figure who laid the foundations of modern violin performance, and in particular, his solo violin sonatas have become core repertoire on major international competition and concert stages today, serving as a key benchmark for assessing performers' musical interpretation and technical ability. The Ysaye International Music Competition is known for valuing not only technical prowess but also artistic depth and individuality.

The Ysaye International Music Competition has produced promising violinists from around the world, and among Koreans, Kim Seohyun won the competition in 2021.

A total of 121 applicants from 23 countries applied for the 2026 Ysaye International Music Competition. The first and second rounds held in Belgium were conducted through online video screening and live streaming. A total of 20 players advanced to the final round in Korea, including 8 in the junior division and 12 in the senior division.

The list of finalists includes three Korean musical prodigies. Lee Sena advanced to the junior division final, while Kim Ain and Lim Haewon reached the senior division final.

The final-round jury will be led by competition artistic director Ashot Khachatourian and co-final director Nam Kara, and will include Stefan Jackiw, Kirill Troussov, Joel Smirnoff, and Choi Eunsik, among others.

The finalists will perform Ysaye's solo violin sonatas as well as concertos by masters such as Beethoven and Brahms. The overall winner of the senior division will receive prize money, opportunities to perform with leading orchestras around the world, and the privilege of borrowing a renowned Italian instrument for one year.

This Korean final has been confirmed through a joint initiative between the Korea International School of Arts (KISA) and the competition headquarters in Belgium. KISA principal Nam Kara will serve as co-director of the final round. Nam first established ties with the competition headquarters when serving as a judge at the Ysaye International Music Competition held in Belgium in July last year. At that time, Korean-descended performers swept first, second, and third place in the junior division.

Nam said, "Hosting this final goes beyond simple co-organization; it is a case of cultural cooperation that officially connects Europe's musical traditions with Korea's educational philosophy," adding, "The fact that the final round of an international competition, previously held overseas, will now take place in Korea is a meaningful milestone for the Korean music community as well." Nam continued, "The arts are a cultural asset that builds trust between nations," and expressed hope that "this final will serve as an opportunity for Korea to establish itself as a collaborative partner on the international classical music stage."

The Ysaye International Music Competition organizing committee stated, "Korea is a country with some of the most dynamic and passionate audiences and outstanding performers in the global classical music scene," and added, "This musical journey connecting Belgium and Korea will provide a broader platform for young artists."

The schedule leading up to the final will be broadcast live worldwide via the classical music channel Hankyung ArteTV and the official YouTube account of the Ysaye International Music Competition.

Detailed schedules and ticket reservation information for the 2026 Ysaye International Music Competition final will be announced later on the official website and the Icheon Art Hall website.