Newswire | Koshiro Takeuchi is the Grand Laureate of the Concours 2026

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Montréal, Friday, June 5, 2026 – Japanese violinist Koshiro Takeuchi has been crowned the much-coveted Grand Laureate of the Concours musical international de Montréal 2026. Following a Grand Final filled with high emotions, Koshiro was awarded the top prize thanks to his refined musicality, his assured technique and his captivating stage presence.

This thrilling Grand Final took place at the Maison symphonique, where the three Grand Finalists each performed a major concerto from the repertoire, accompanied by the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal – the Concours’ official orchestra – led by Guest Conductor Sascha Goetzel.

The decision was made by the International Jury of the Concours 2026, chaired by the violinist Lucie Robert. The jury comprised seven renowned violinists and teachers based in Asia, Europe and Canada, who are recognised worldwide for their expertise and experience: Ju-Young Park, Glenn Dicterow, Simin Ganatra, Yuzuko Horigome, Régis Pasquier, Barry Schiffman and Pavel Vernikov.

LAUREATES OF THE CONCOURS 2026

First Prize valued at $70,000

Grand cash prize: $30,000
Offered in partnership with Ville de Montréal
Joseph-Rouleau Career Development Grant – First Prize: $40,000
Offered in partnership with the Azrieli Foundation

Koshiro Takeuchi, Japan

Koshiro Takeuchi. Photo: Tam Photography

Second Prize valued at $25,000

Cash prize Pierre-Péladeau et Raymonde-Chopin: $15,000
Offered in partnership with Québecor
Joseph-Rouleau Career Development Grant – Second Prize
Offered in partnership with the Azrieli Foundation: $10,000

Sara Watanabe, Japan

Sara Watanabe. Photo: Tam Photography

Third Prize valued at $20,000

Cash prize: $10,000
Offered in partnership with Stingray Classica
Joseph-Rouleau Career Development Grant – Third Prize: $10,000
Offered in partnership with the Azrieli Foundation

Laurel Gagnon, United States

Laurel Gagnon. Photo: Tam Photography

SPECIAL PRIZES

ICI Musique Audience Choice Award ($5,000)
Offered in partnership with ICI Musique
Bade Dastan, Belgium and Turkey

André Bourbeau Award for the Best Canadian Artist ($5,000)
Offered in partnership with the Fondation Bourbeau
Justin Saulnier, Canada

Mozart Prize ($3,000)
Offered in partnership with Wilder & Davis
Sara Watanabe, Japan

Baroque Prize ($2,500)
Offert en partenariat avec Andrew Wan, violon solo de l’OSM
Koshiro Takeuchi, Japan

Canadian Work Prize ($2,500)
Offered in partnership with the Lupien Family Foundation
Laurel Gagnon, United States

Sonata Prize ($2,500)
Offered in partnership with Dixi Lambert
Laurel Gagnon, United States

Robert Trempe Junior Jury Prize ($1,500)
Offered in partnership with Richard Tremblay
Charlotte Spruit, Netherlands

Finalist Grants awarded to the two finalists who do not advance to the Grand Final (2 X 3,000$)
Offered in partnership with the Rouleau Family and Jacques Vincent
Bade Dastan, Belgium and Turkey | Aozhe Zhang, China

OTHER SPECIAL PRIZES

Loan of the Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù violin 1728–30*, ”ex-Christopher Warren-Green”, and a bow, for a period of three years. Awarded to the Grand Laureate of the Concours 2026.
Offered in partnership with the Canimex Music Instrument Collection

OSM Prize*
An engagement awarded to a laureate for a concert or recital with the OSM – the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the official orchestra of the Concours
Offered in partnership with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

One-week residency* at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, awarded to a laureate ($1,800)
Offered in partnership with Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Chamber Music Prize
An engagement for a concert with the Montreal Chamber Music Festival
Offered in partnership with the Montreal Chamber Music Festival

Personalized artistic consultation for each laureate with Agence Station Bleue
Offered in partnership with Agence Station Bleue

Je reviendrai à Montréal Grant* ($25,000)
A grant to bring back the laureates and winners of special prizes to perform in Montréal or surrounding areas
Offered in partnership with the Nawacki Family Foundation

* Prizes not determined by the Concours 2026 International Jury.

RELIVE THE BEST MOMENTS OF THE CONCOURS 2026!

Unable to attend all the rounds? Catch them online: watch or rewatch them all on the Concours 2026 website.

Thank you for sharing the excitement with us during this spectacular edition of the Concours 2026. We look forward to seeing you again from April 24 to May 5, 2027 for an edition dedicated to the piano.

CMIM 2026 Finalists. Photo: Tam Photography

ABOUT THE CONCOURS

The Concours musical international de Montréal enjoys an undeniable reputation as one of the most prestigious and welcoming international music competitions around the world. A multidisciplinary event, the Concours has welcomed annually since 2002, in turn, singers, violinists, and pianists. Well over 5,000 musicians of the new generation from more than 90 countries and trained at the world’s most important musical schools have entered the competition.

A major event on Montréal’s cultural calendar, the Concours musical international de Montréal is a high-profile showcase that shapes the future of the classical music scene by offering its laureates invaluable visibility and professional opportunities. The competitors measure themselves against their peers, performing before a jury of classical music luminaries and music lovers in Montréal. Events of the Concours musical international de Montréal are viewed by more than 3 million people annually worldwide.