The George Enescu International Competition announces the results of the pre-selection for the 2026 edition, selecting 150 young musicians from 55 countries for the stages of violin, cello, and piano.

The George Enescu International Competition, a prestigious competition dedicated to young talents, has announced the results of the pre-selection for the anniversary edition in 2026. The international juries have selected 150 young musicians from 55 countries, who will participate in the first stage of the competition to be held in Bucharest between August 29 and September 19, 2026. This edition has set a participation record, with 645 candidates. Each instrumental section – violin, cello, and piano – will have 50 competitors, reflecting the international diversity of the competition. The youngest participant is the American violinist Jayden King, aged 12, and Romania will be represented by five competitors. The 2026 edition, under the theme "In Search of Excellence," continues the tradition of promoting talents in classical music. The public will be able to follow the performances of the artists during the competition, having free access to the events. The competition is held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania and is funded by the Government of Romania through the Ministry of Culture.