This year’s 14th Mikael Tariverdiev International Organ Competition consisted of four stages, held in Hamburg (Germany), New Haven (Connecticut, USA), Seoul (Republic of Korea), and Moscow (Russia). Of these, Seoul and Moscow were live-format, while the Hamburg and New Haven rounds took place online.
The Kaliningrad stage (final and semifinal) was held from 3rd to 8th October at the Kaliningrad Philharmonic and the Cathedral on Kant Island. The chair of the Kaliningrad jury, Thomas Kientz (Switzerland/France), Professor of Organ Improvisation at the Haute École de Musique in Lausanne, Titular organist at St Maurice’s Abbey, and concert organist, placed the Mikael TariverdievInternational Competition among the most important contests of its kind in the world. He praised the Competition’s programme and organisation, noting that “the highly acclaimed Mikael Tariverdiev Competition is of the utmost importance for the continued evolution of organ music."
The 14th Mikael Tariverdiev InternationalCompetition jury included 20 renowned concert organists and professors from a number of countries. 42 organists from 11 countries competedto qualify for the semifinal. 22 of the participantsqualified in the second round, representing 6 countries: Russia, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Belarus, and South Korea.
On 8th September, the winners of the 14th MikaelTariverdiev International Organ Competition wereannounced at the Kaliningrad Cathedral. Thecompetition’s prizes and titles went torepresentatives of two countries, the Republic of Korea and Russia:
• 1st Prize Winner: Sunghyun PARK, Republic of Korea
• 2nd Prize Winner: Polina PANTELEYEVA, Russia
• 3rd Prize Winner: Ivan TSAREV, Russia
A special prize for the best performance ofTariverdiev’s music went to Ilaria CENTORRINO (Italy). The competition’s diplomas were awarded toIlaria CENTORRINO (Italy) and Irina KRYUKOVA (Russia). Maya MOKRETSOVA (Russia) receivedVera Tariverdieva’s special Faith, Hope, Love prize.
The notable number of special prizes and awards isa confirmation of the competition’s prestigious status. 22 special prizes were awarded at 2025’s14th Mikael Tariverdiev International Organ Competition, granting their recipients an opportunity to perform at Russia’s best concert halls.
The anniversary-marking 15th Mikael TariverdievInternational Organ Competition is due to be held in 2027. Its dates and programme will soon be announced at www.organcompetition.ru
