Concertino Praga Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary with Strings, Keyboards, and Winds

In 2026, Concertino Praga – the Dvořák Radio International Competition for Young Musicians – Celebrates a Milestone Anniversary

In 2026, Concertino Praga – the Dvořák Radio International Competition for Young Musicians – will celebrate a major anniversary. Although the original plan for this year was to focus solely on the category of string and keyboard instruments, the co-organizers, Czech Radio and the Academy of Classical Music, have decided to open the competition also to wind instrument players.

“This decision was inspired by the exceptional level of participants in the wind category of the 2025 edition,” says Kateřina Konopásková, Director of Corporate Support and External Relations at Czech Radio, who oversees the competition on behalf of Czech Radio. “It would be a shame not to give young, talented wind players – who have accompanied Concertino for decades with their commitment and musical maturity – a chance to participate in such a significant year,” she adds.

Robert Kolář, Director of the co-organizing Academy of Classical Music, adds:
“Such an important anniversary deserves to present the full scope of the competition’s disciplines, which, thanks to its inclusion in the Dvořák Prague Festival program, has been steadily strengthening its international prestige.”

From One Competition to Two Categories

Throughout its history, closely intertwined with that of Czech Radio, Concertino Praga has undergone a number of transformations. Since 2020, when the Academy of Classical Music joined as a co-organizer, the competition featured a single category for all instruments, complemented every two years by a chamber music competition.

A new format was introduced in 2025: each year features a competition for string and keyboard instruments, while the wind instrument category takes place every two years. Originally, 2026 was to be devoted exclusively to string and keyboard instruments. However, due to the exceptional interest from applicants, the high level of the wind section, and the competition’s significant anniversary, the organizers decided to give all young musicians – strings, keyboards, and winds – a chance to compete.

Who Can Apply

Wind Instruments Category: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone
• Contestants must not have reached the age of 18 by the date of the final round.

String and Keyboard Instruments Category: piano, violin, viola, cello, harp, accordion
• Piano, violin: contestants must not have reached the age of 16 by the date of the final round.
• Viola, cello, harp, accordion: contestants must not have reached the age of 17 by the date of the final round.

All instruments are judged together within their respective categories.

Sixty Years of Inspiration and Opportunity

For six decades, Concertino Praga has been synonymous with talent, discovery, and the first major steps toward a professional music career. The competition helps young musicians gain experience, international recognition, and valuable contacts – often serving as the first impulse for their future artistic journey.

Laureates receive scholarships of up to €5,000 from the Academy of Classical Music through the Karel Komárek Family Foundation and other partners, as well as the opportunity to make a professional recording at Czech Radio. Both co-organizers also provide concert opportunities on prestigious stages in the Czech Republic and abroad.

The competition is also accompanied by the South Bohemian Concertino Praga Festival, organized by Czech Radio, where the winners perform annually in the historic halls of South Bohemia. These concert tours bring together young talents from around the world with Czech audiences, reminding us that music is a universal language of understanding.

Applications and Details

The application deadline for the 2026 edition is March 31, 2026.
Detailed information, competition rules, and the application form are available at: concertino.rozhlas.cz