Seventh International Harp Competition, Szeged

 

Founded by Natalia Gorbunova in 2007 and held every three years, the International Harp Competition in Szeged, Hungary, has grown into a highly respected event in the global harp community. Beyond being a prestigious contest for harpists, it serves as a cultural and social gathering for the general public, who are drawn to performances by talented musicians from around the world. Our competition seeks to uncover emerging talent, inspire participants to explore new artistic horizons, and foster the growth of harp culture in Hungary.

The seventh edition of the competition will be held from November 19 to 23, 2025, at the Reök Palace in Szeged. This special event will celebrate two significant anniversaries: the 150th anniversary of the births of Henriette Renié and Maurice Ravel (both born in 1875), and the 50th anniversary of the passing of Marcel Grandjany (who died in 1975).  Their compositions have been included as set pieces in the program, alongside works by two Hungarian composers, reflecting our ongoing mission to support and promote Hungarian music.

Many thanks to all our sponsors, especially to Camac Harps and Reök Palace.

I am looking forward to welcoming you in Szeged in 2025!

Anastasia Razvalyaeva
Artistic Director

Natalia Gorbunova, Anastasia Razvalyaeva

 

Reök-Palace

Reök-Palace www.reok.hu

Competition categories

 

The 7th International Harp Competition is open to harpists of all nationalities, in three age categories:

 

U14 (14 and under) – for harpists born on or after 24 November 2010

U19 (19 and under) – for harpists born on or after 24 November 2005

U25 (25 and under) – for harpists born on or after 24 November 1999

 

Contestants may participate only in one category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download the FLYER 2025

Required Repertoire

U25

Stage 1: a free program of max. 10 minutes, including a free choice piece written for harp after 2001

Stage 2: a free program of max. 25 minutes, including any piece by Henriette Renié or Marcel Grandjany

Stage 3: Maurice Ravel: Introduction & Allegro and a free choice virtuoso encore of max. 6 minutes duration

U19

Stage 1: a free program of max. 10 minutes, including minimum 1 movement from a set piece by Márton Levente Horváth: Versets for an Imaginary Vespers (2023) 

Stage 2: a free program of max. 12 minutes, including any piece by Henriette Renié or Marcel Grandjany

U14

A free program of max. 7 minutes, including a set piece by Ákos Zarándy: Leaves (2023)

 

Please, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any problems with ordering the sheet music of the set pieces: [email protected]

 

 

 

 

Download the

RULES 2025

 

Prizes

U25

First Prize: €2500
Second Prize: €1000
Third Prize: €700

U19

First Prize: €1000
Second Prize: €500
Third Prize: €300

U14

First Prize: €500
Second Prize: €300
Third Prize: €200

Jury

U25 and U14

U19

 

How to Apply

Please fill in the online application form below, including:

  • Complete competition programme, including the timing of each piece (PDF)
  • CV (PDF)
  • A recommendation letter from your teacher (students), or by a musician colleague (professionals). Please supply recommendations with signature, scanned as PDF
  • A recent photograph, suitable for reproduction in the programme book (minimum resolution 300 dpi, JPG)
  • Scan of your passport, birth certificate, or similar ID
  • Please upload a video (recorded in one take, from one camera angle, unedited) of one piece from your proposed competition programme on YouTube, Vimeo, Youku or Toudou. This can be under public or private link. The link of the video is included on the entry form.

Application deadline: September 15th, 2025 

Applicants will receive an e-mail if they have been accepted by September 29, 2025. After receiving their confirmation, the applicants should pay the participation fee by October 6th, 2025 and send proof of payment via email (for example, a scanned bank transfer receipt).

The registration fee is non-refundable. 


The completed application form, by which the contestant accepts the rules and regulations of the competition, constitutes a contract between the contestant and the competition. The organizing committee alone is entitled to decide on the admission of contestants.

Participation fees

U14: €65 

U19: €85

U25: €105

 

Application Form

    Contact us!