INTERNATIONAL ORGAN COMPETITION
From 22 to 26 October 2024 – Lyon Auditorium
Founder – Claude Samuel
Director – Bruno Messina
President of the Jury – Daniel Roth
Members of the Jury – Michel Bourcier, Zuzana Ferjencikova, Carolyn Shuster Fournier, Jean-Frédéric Neuburger
For this 2024 edition, AIDA is organising an organ competition at the Auditorium-Orchestre National de Lyon.
In addition to works by Messiaen, the competition will be open to other repertoires, creating a week of very high-level competition, with a jury made up of international figures specialising in the organ and Messiaen, accessible to all those curious and music lovers attracted by the discovery of this instrument-orchestra and by the performance that all international competitions represent.
The Olivier Messiaen International Competition 2024 is open to organists under the age of 30 from all over the world. It will take place over 4 rounds, including 3 public rounds, to be held in Lyon from 22 to 26 October 2024. The prizes consist of financial awards and an invitation to perform at AIDA.
2024 SCHEDULE
Registration opens : Friday 15 March 2024
Application deadline: Saturday 15 June 2024
Results of the preliminary round and announcement of candidates admitted to compete in the public rounds: early June
PUBLIC ROUNDS :
Lyon Auditorium
– 1st round: Tuesday 22 October 2024
– 2nd round: Thursday 24 October 2024
– Final: Saturday 26 October 2024
Rehearsals from 20 October on the competition organ at the Lyon Auditorium.
DANIEL ROTH (France)
President of the jury
Carolyn Shuster Fournier (France, United States)
Titular organist of the Aristide Cavaillé-Coll choir organ at the Eglise de la Trinité in Paris
International concert artist, liturgical organist and musicologist, Carolyn Shuster Fournier was organist at the American Cathedral in Paris in 1988 and 1989, before being appointed titular organist of the Cavaillé-Coll choir organ at the Church of the Holy Trinity, where she created the ‘Thursday Concerts’. Since 2022, she has been titular emeritus.
She has a doctorate in musicology, and her thesis on the secular organs of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll was commended by Olivier Messiaen. In her concerts, she plays a classical, romantic and contemporary repertoire.
She has been a « Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et Lettres » since 2007.
Michel Bourcier (France)
After completing his musical studies, Michel Bourcier turned his attention to performance, musical analysis, teaching (organ and musical analysis), liturgy and now ensemble conducting.
In 2007, Michel Bourcier was appointed titular organist at Nantes Cathedral. He teaches organ at the Conservatoire de Nantes. Alongside his career as an organist, in 2004 he founded Ensemble Utopik, a variable-geometry instrumental ensemble that he directs and whose vocation is to disseminate the repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries. As part of the ensemble, he is happy to act as a mediator, helping a wide range of audiences to discover the music of today.
Zuzana Ferjencikova (Slovakia)
Slovak organist, pianist and composer Zuzana Ferjencikova has won several prizes in international competitions, and in 2004 was the first woman to win first prize in the Haarlem International Organ Improvisation Competition.
As a performer, she is primarily interested in the Romantic repertoire, especially the works of Franz Liszt, but also in contemporary compositions, notably by Jean Guillou. As a composer, she writes concert pieces for organ, piano and various instrumental ensembles, as well as music for the Roman Catholic liturgy.
Jean-Frédéric Neuburger (France)
Jean-Frédéric Neuburger studied organ, piano and composition at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, which he entered at the age of 13 and from which he graduated with five first prizes. He then embarked on a major career as a pianist, characterised by the extreme variety of his repertoire, from Bach to 21st-century composers.
His works for piano and chamber music have been premiered and programmed at numerous festivals.
He has stayed several times at the Maison Messiaen as part of his composition work.
PRELIMINARY ROUND ON RECORDING
Registration deadline: Wednesday 15 May 2024
Maximum duration: 15 to 20 minutes per candidate
1 – Johan Sebastian Bach, Fantasy and Fugue in A minor BWV 904
(the bass part is to be played on the pedalboard)
2 – Olivier Messiaen, Messe de la Pentecôte, extract: Communion
3 – A piece of your choice from the repertoire between 1830 and 1945
NOTA BENE
The preliminary round may be recorded on several organs. Each piece must be recorded without editing.
The recordings counting towards the preliminary round may include works from the programme of the three public rounds.
1st round – TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2024
15 to 20 minutes per candidate
1. Nicolas de Grigny, Fugue à 5 and Duo from the hymn Veni Creator
2. Olivier Messiaen, Meditations on the mystery of the Holy Trinity, extract: II. The holiness of Jesus Christ
2nd round – THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER 2024
20 to 25 minutes per candidate
1. César Franck, Cantabile
2. Charles Tournemire, Postlude from the Office of the Epiphany
3. A piece by Olivier Messiaen
4. A piece written after 1945, excluding Messiaen
FINAL – SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2024
40 to 45 minutes per candidate
1. New work, commissioned by the Olivier Messiaen International Competition
2. One or more pieces from the repertoire between 1830 and 1920
3. Jehan Alain, Second Fantasy
4. One or more pieces by Messiaen, lasting 8 to 15 minutes
Introduction
Originally a contemporary piano competition, the Olivier Messiaen International Competition was established in 1967 as part of the Royan Festival and held in Paris until 2007. In 2019, Bruno Messina, director of the EPCC AIDA, was entrusted with its revival. Co-organised by the Public Establishment of Cultural Cooperation (EPCC) Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes (AIDA) and the Auditorium-Orchestre national de Lyon, the 2024 competition will be dedicated to the organ.
Article 1
The Olivier Messiaen International Competition is open to organists of any nationality born after January 1st, 1994. It will take place in Lyon from 22 to 26 October 2024 under the presidency of Daniel Roth.
Article 2 – Format
The Competition comprises four rounds: a preliminary elimination round based on recordings and three public rounds in Lyon.
Recordings for the preliminary round must be submitted by 15 June 2024.
The quarter-final round will take place at the Auditorium de Lyon on Tuesday 22 october 2024.
The semi-final round will take place at the Auditorium de Lyon on Thursday 24 october 2024.
The final round will take place at the Auditorium de Lyon on Saturday 26 october 2024.
Article 3 – Draws
At the quarter-finals and semi-finals, the playing order for competing performers will be decided by drawing lots. A second draw will determine the playing order for the final.
Article 4 – Programme
The detailed programme of the rounds will be posted on the Competition website.
Candidates can perform the pieces in the order of their choice.
Candidates must submit their programme to the Competition organisers by 1 September at the latest.
Copies of the scores for unpublished works must be submitted to the Competition organisers by
1 October at the latest.
Article 5 – Prizes
Olivier Messiaen Grand Prize: €6000
Second prize: €4000
Third prize: €3000
Fourth prize: €2000
Prize for the best performance of the works by Olivier Messiaen: €2000
Prize for the best performance of the new work: €3000
Public prize: €1000
The Olivier Messiaen Grand Prize cannot be shared. The second prize can only be shared if the Olivier Messiaen Grand Prize is not awarded.
The winner of the Olivier Messiaen Grand Prize will be offered an engagement in the AIDA programmation.
Article 6 – Jury
The jury is made up of international figures from the classic music world. Its members will deliberate at the end of each round. In the event of a tie, the President will have the deciding vote.
The jury reserves the right to interrupt a performance.
The jury reserves the right not to award all prizes.
There is no right of appeal to the jury’s decision.
Article 7 – Application submissions
Application forms can be downloaded from the Competition website (www.maisonmessiaen.com). They must be duly completed, signed and emailed (concours@olivier-messiaen.eu) to the Competition organisers no later than May 15, 2024 with the following documents attached:
– CV in English or French detailing music schools attended, main teachers, awards obtained and current professional status.
– Photocopy of an identity card, passport or other equivalent official document.
– A recent photograph with last name and first name included in the file name.
– Entry fee or proof of payment (see article 9).
– A recording of the pieces included in the preliminary round repertoire (see article 8).
Article 8 – Preliminary round
From the preliminary recorded round, 10 candidates will be selected to perform in the competition rounds in Lyon.
Recordings entered into the preliminary round can be performed in the three public rounds. They must be submitted with the application as mp3, wav or aiff files. Recordings must not be cut or edited. Deadline for submission: May 15, 2024, with the application form.
The names of the 10 selected entrants in the competition will be listed on the competition website on June 2024.
Each chosen candidate will also receive the decision personally by email.
Article 9 – Entry fee
The entry fee is €50. Candidates must pay the entry fee net of any additional costs at registration. Fees received by the Competition organisers cannot be refunded.
Payment methods will be explained on the application form.
Article 10 – Visas
Any candidate who requires a visa to participate in the competition must take personal responsibility for applying for one. If a candidate is required to present a letter of invitation to obtain a visa, please request this from the Competition organisers.
Article 11 – Recording of public performances
Candidates waive the right to any remuneration from any recording or radio, television or web broadcast (streamed live or made available later) of performances (either in part or in full) in the competition rounds or in the final concert.
Article 12 – Assistants
Candidates will be able to rehearse on the Competition organ on the days preceding the first public round and between rounds, according to a schedule communicated in advance by the Competition organisers.
Candidates are responsible for their own travel expenses, accommodation and certain meals in order to take part in the public rounds.
Competitors are entitled to have an assistant of their choice at the console. In this case, they are responsible for covering all related travel and accommodation expenses. If a candidate has not appointed their own assistant, they can use assistants provided by the Competition. Requests for an assistant must be submitted to the Competition organisers by September 1st, 2024 at the latest.
Article 13
By signing the application form, candidates agree to all the terms and conditions stipulated in the Competition rules and are required to fulfil all engagements offered as part of any prize awarded. In the event of any dispute, only the French version of the Competition rules is binding.
The Olivier Messiaen International Competition is organised by the EPCC Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes (AIDA) in partnership with the Auditorium-Orchestre national de Lyon, with the support of the Fondation Olivier Messiaen under the patronage of the Fondation de France.
AIDA – Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes
Bruno Messina, director
Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes (AIDA) is a Public Establishment of Cultural Cooperation (EPCC). Created in 2004 and directed by Bruno Messina since 2009, AIDA promotes musical creativity and outreach and works more broadly to support cultural development in Isère and Hautes-Alpes by organising major events in these areas:
• The Festival Berlioz, a great symphonic music event
• The Jeune Orchestre Européen Hector Berlioz – Isère, the festival’s youth orchestra and academy
• Les Allées Chantent, an annual tour of 80 concerts in iconic heritage venues
• À Travers Chants, a programme of choral singing teaching for children aged 8 to 12
• La Maison Messiaen, an artists’ residence in Matheysine, southern Isère
• The International Olivier Messiaen Competition, honouring the organ and the piano
• The Festival Messiaen au Pays de la Meije, a major contemporary music event
AIDA’s activities are focused on promoting musical aesthetics in all their diversity, developing creativity, supporting established and emerging artists, encouraging musical practice, furthering musical access and discovery for all audiences and contributing to the training of future professional and amateur musicians.
Auditorium-orchestre national de Lyon
A monument in prestressed concrete, the Auditorium de Lyon’s silhouette nestles in the heart of the Part-Dieu district of Lyon. Designed by Charles Delfante, chief planner and architect of Part-Dieu, and Henri Pottier, a winner of the Prix de Rome, it was opened on February 14, 1975 after more than three years of herculean labour. The installation of the organ from the Palais de Chaillot at the rear of the stage in 1977, protected by two huge curtains of wood, completed the magnificent, unique appearance of the 2,100-seat hall, unanimously praised for its comfortable facilities. Built in the shape of a Roman theatre, the hall fosters an ideal bond between the stage and the audience. The Auditorium is the home of the Orchestre national de Lyon, a permanent ensemble of 104 musicians under musical director Nikolaj Szeps-Znajder. The Auditorium-Orchestre national de Lyon is supported by the City of Lyon.
The Cavaillé-Coll/Gonzalez/Aubertin organ, Auditorium de Lyon
Constructed for the Paris World’s Fair in 1878 and the Palais du Trocadéro in Paris, this monumental instrument (82 stops and 6,400 pipes) was the ‘showcase’ of the most distinguished organ builder of his time, Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. Reassembled in the new Palais de Chaillot by Victor Gonzalez in 1939, then transferred in 1977 to the Auditorium de Lyon by his successor Georges Danion, it was restored in 2013 by Michel Gaillard (from Aubertin) to its former glory. The finest musicians have sat at the console of this prestigious organ to unveil to the public the Requiem by Fauré and Duruflé and masterpieces by Guilmant, Franck, Widor, Gounod, Dupré, Saint-Saëns, Poulenc, Duruflé, Alain, Messiaen and, more recently, Édith Canat de Chizy, Thierry Escaich and Kaija Saariaho. It is the only grand organ in a concert hall in France outside Paris (Maison de la Radio et Philharmonie).
www.auditorium-lyon.com/fr/orgue
The Olivier Messiaen International Competition is organised by the EPCC Arts en Isère Dauphiné Alpes (AIDA) and hosted by the Auditorium-Orchestre national de Lyon. The Competition is supported by the Fondation Olivier Messiaen, under the auspices of the Fondation de France.
