About the Competition
The summer of 2026 sees the 31th anniversary of the International Johannes Brahms Competition in Pörtschach. The reputation of our music competition is built on the high standard of musicians – pianists; violin, viola and cello players; chamber musicians and singers – we attract.
Each year, more than 400 musicians from over 40 nations compete. We attract entrants from most European countries, from Finland in the north to Greece in the south. A truly international feel is provided by competitors from Australia, China, South Africa, Japan and the USA. Just under a tenth of those who register come from Austria.
So what makes our Brahms competition so appealing to musicians the world over? A difference between the Pörtschach event and those elsewhere is the transparency in the marking. Rather than using a committee that is out of sight, our jurors each have to give their marks immediately after the performance and in full view of the audience. This helps the understanding of both competitor and spectator, and also eliminates the unnecessary wait for the results that mars other events. Furthermore, it offers the chance for the audience to compare their judgments with the artistic and technical merit scores announced.
Our format may strike you as unusual, but this way of marking has shown itself to be much appreciated by our entrants, who see that each juror cannot influence his or her colleagues. The musicians are entitled to discuss their marks with individual jurors, should they wish to.
Preview of the 31st International Johannes Brahms Competition Pörtschach am Wörthersee
27 September 2026 to 4 October 2026
The competition will follow the tried-and-tested format (see rules for details) with spontaneous public judging after each performance.
Venue: Villi Cinema and CCW (Congress Centre Wörthersee).
The category is (art song) SINGING, specifically in a song/piano duo. In justified exceptional cases, accompaniment by (renowned) pianists from the competition is also permitted.
The repertoire will focus on songs by Johannes Brahms. However, there will also be compulsory pieces by Gustav Jenner, Robert Fuchs, Rainer Bischof and Johannes Kropfitsch, as well as a Carinthian song (sheet music is available for download (PDF)). Concert grand piano: Bösendorfer.
The jury consists of the following renowned internationally known singers and pianists, who are also teachers: (I. Raimondi, Ch. Spencer, B. Fink, B. Schollum, M. Hadulla, Ulf Bästlein, C. Visca). (Requested, subject to change.)
Prizes 5/3/2 K Euro (for duos, half for soloists) plus special prizes (for the best interpretation of the compulsory pieces by G. Jenner, R. Fuchs, R. Bischof, J. Kropfitsch, Carinthian song (prescribed selection), audience prize). Various performances and concerts.
Registration fee €150.
First round (Mon 28, Tue 29 Sept)
Two Brahms songs and one or two songs of your choice. Total duration max. 15 minutes
Second round (Wed 30 Sept, Thu 1 Oct)
1 song by Gustav Jenner or Robert Fuchs, 2 songs by Johannes Brahms, songs of your choice, max. 20 minutes.
Round 3 (final) (Fri 2 Oct, Sat 3 Oct, both from 7.30 p.m.)
6 candidates; 1 song by Rainer Bischof or Johannes Kropfitsch, 1 Carinthian song, 2 songs by Johannes Brahms, works of your choice, max. 30 minutes.
Final concert with audience award (Sunday, 4 October)
Each prize winner will sing an accompanied folk song from their home country and other songs as agreed with the competition management.
Transposition is permitted. Renowned agencies and press representatives, as well as potential sponsors, will be invited to the competition. The competition will be partially streamed and recorded for radio and television.