Open to string quartet, piano trio, and piano quartet, the competition will be held from May 17–24, 2026
Founded in 1993 by the Japan Chamber Music Foundation, the triennial Osaka International Chamber Music Competition is open to ensembles of all nationalities, whose members are aged up to 35.
Section I of the competition features the String Quartet, while Section II will focus on the Piano Trio and Piano Quartet. The competition from May 17–24, 2026, will be held at the Sumitomolife Izumi Hall.
To apply, click here. The deadline for applications is October 12, 2025.
Prizes for both sections include ¥2,500,000 for the first-prize winner; ¥1,200,000 for second place; ¥800,000 for third place; and a number of special prizes.
Additionally, the first-prize winners of each section will be invited to perform in the Grand-Prix Concerts tour, where they will give around 10 concerts across Japan.
Chaired by Monika Henschel, the 2025 jury will comprise Weigang Li, Kazuki Sawa, Oliver Wille, Mai Motobuchi, Alasdair Tait, Sung-Won Yang, Rieko Aizawa, and Ichiro Nodaira.
“The Osaka International Chamber Music Competition really means presenting your love of chamber music to the world … and also finding friends among each other,” Henschel said. “Many fellow competitors have also gone on to run festivals all over the world … so please, consider just going for it, it is so worth trying the challenge.”
AloJapan.com