75 years of the Concours Reine Elisabeth
Belgium 15.3.2026
Elisabeth Gabriele Valérie Marie, Duchess in Bavaria, was born on July 25, 1876, in Possenhofen on Lake Starnberg. As the wife of Prince Albert of Belgium, she became Queen of Belgium upon his accession to the throne in 1909. Elisabeth was very musically gifted. She played the violin daily, studying under the composer and violinist Eugène Ysaÿe (1858–1931).
Eugène Ysaÿe conceived the idea for a competition for young musicians. After his death, Elisabeth took over the planning of the competition in 1931, which was first held in 1937 under the name “Concours Eugène Ysaÿe.” The first prize winner was David Oistrakh (1908–1974). After the Second World War, the competition was renamed “Concours Reine Elisabeth” in 1951. The competition, held under the patronage of the reigning Belgian queen, is today one of the most prestigious international music competitions. It takes place every four years, with the featured instrument category changing annually; since 2025, the order has been violin, piano, cello, and voice.
Belgium 15.9.1937
The video features Ukrainian violinist Dmytro Udovychenko (born 1999), winner of the 2024 competition, and the Belgian National Orchestra, conducted by Antony Hermus, performing Dmitri Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77.