Andoni Andrada is the ECHO Young Organist of the Year 2027! 🎉
What a festive and inspiring finale to the ECHO International Organ Competition!
🥇 Andoni Andrada was crowned ECHO Young Organist of the Year 2027. In addition, he also received the Audience Prize, generously offered by the City of Leuven.
🥈 The Second Prize, offered by KU Leuven, was awarded to Andrei Sheiko.
🥉 The Third Prize, offered by Leuven Orgelstad, went to Johannes Opfermann.
Congratulations also go to the other finalists Nadal Roig Serralta and Stan Van Rompay on their outstanding musical performances, and thank you to the wonderful audience for celebrating this special evening with us. It was a festive and memorable conclusion to an unforgettable competition!
A special thanks also to the jury members Bernard Foccroulle (president), Juan-Maria Pedrero, Bine Bryndorf, Luc Ponet, and Aurore Baal.
Leuven welcomes the first international Jehan Crinon Organ Competition, in collaboration with Leuven Orgelstad and ECHO. The competition takes place on two exceptional instruments: the historic Goltfuss organ (1692) and the Contius organ (2022).
A total of 38 young organists from around the world applied, of whom twelve have been selected to participate in the live rounds, with repertoire ranging from the 16th century to the present day. Technique, musical vision, and programmatic coherence are central to the competition.
The international jury consists of Bernard Foccroulle (chair), Juan-Maria Pedrero, Bine Bryndorf, Luc Ponet, and Aurore Baal.
Programme
8 July
10:00 – 13:30 – Round 1a (Day 1), St John the Baptist Church*
14:30 – 18:00 – Round 1b (Day 1), St Michael’s Peace Church
20:00 – Opening concert, St Michael’s Peace Church
Wouter Dekoninck (organ), Madoka Nakamaru & Yun Kim (violin), Sojeong Im (soprano)
9 July
10:00 – 13:30 – Round 1a (Day 2), St John the Baptist Church*
14:30 – 17:30 – Round 1b (Day 2), St Michael’s Peace Church
20:00 – Concert by Juan-Maria Pedrero & Bernard Foccroulle, St John the Baptist Church*
10 July
9:30 – 12:30 – Masterclass by Bernard Foccroulle & Juan-Maria Pedrero, St John the Baptist Church
14:00 – 17:00 – Masterclass by Bine Katrine Bryndorf & Aurore Baal, St Geertrui Church
20:00 – Concert by Bine Bryndorf, Aurore Baal & Luc Ponet, St Michael’s Peace Church
11 July
10:00 – 12:00 – Round table by ECHO Young, Chapel Romaanse Poort (Brusselsestraat)
14:00 – 16:00 – Symposium, Chapel Romaanse Poort (Brusselsestraat)
17:30 – Competition Final and announcement of the winners, St Michael’s Peace Church
12 July, 11:45 – Peace Mass
In collaboration with the parish, concluding the competition weekend.
*The parking at the Begijnhof will open 30 minutes before the start of the activities.