The jubilee 60th edition of Concertino Praga has announced its finalists

The juries met remotely between 5 and 11 May 2026. In the wind instruments category, the jurors evaluated 35 competition recordings submitted by participants from fourteen countries around the world, while in the keyboard and string instruments category they assessed 38 recordings by young performers from seventeen countries. As is tradition, all competitors were evaluated anonymously under numerical codes, a system that has long ensured the competition’s maximum objectivity.

The finalists in the wind instruments category are Sebastian Cretan (trombone, Czech Republic), Alina Lamziuk (oboe, Ukraine), Vojtěch Stejskal (trumpet, Czech Republic), and Elen Virabyan (flute, Armenia). In the keyboard and string instruments category, the finalists are Xuyao Bai (piano, New Zealand), Tobiáš Balkovskýý (cello, Czech Republic), Valentýna Ibriqi (piano, Czech Republic), and Lin Tokura (violin, Japan).

The strong presence of Czech finalists brought great joy to both the juries and the organisers. At the same time, the competition once again confirmed its growing international significance. One of the remarkable features of this year’s edition is also the historically first-ever appearance of the trombone as a solo instrument in the finals.

“I was truly delighted by the incredible performances of these young artists. Some of them absolutely captivated me with their maturity and extraordinarily convincing interpretations. It was a great pleasure for me to be part of the jury of this year’s Concertino Praga and at the same time an honour to witness the emergence of these exceptional talents,” says harpist Jana Boušková, member of the keyboard and string instruments jury.

According to violinist František Souček, the level of the competition was exceptional: “I was very pleased by the high number of participants and by the fact that the competition continues to enjoy an excellent reputation both in the Czech Republic and abroad. The standard of the competitors was outstanding, with some recordings reaching a truly professional level. Behind every performance lies an enormous amount of work, which I greatly appreciate as a juror.”

French horn player Jan Vobořil also highlighted the exceptional quality of the wind category: “This year’s edition offered an extraordinarily diverse showcase of inspiring performances. I was particularly surprised by the high level of the young trumpet and trombone players. What makes Concertino Praga so special for young musicians is also the opportunity to meet one another, perform together, and form friendships that often last well into later life.”

The public final rounds will take place on 17 and 18 September 2026 as part of the Dvořák Prague Festival. The finalists will perform alongside professional orchestras and conductors before both live audiences and radio listeners. The wind instruments final will be held at the Prague Conservatory Concert Hall with Prague Philharmonia under the baton of Marek Ivanović. The keyboard and string instruments final will take place in Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum with the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marek Šedivý. Both concerts will be broadcast live by Czech Radio Vltava.

Several other exceptionally talented young musicians were selected by the jury to perform as part of the Talent Stage of the Dvořák Prague Festival. In the wind instruments category, South Korean trumpeter Jooan Kim was selected and will also serve as an alternate for the final round. In the keyboard and string instruments category, Czech harpist Michaela Odvárková and pianist Jaroslav Skalka were invited to Talent Stage. American cellist Daniel Wang will also perform as part of Talent Stage and was simultaneously designated by the jury as an alternate finalist in this category.