Winner in the horn category announced following a thrilling final

From a total of 67 participants in the horn category at the 61st Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competition 2026, the international jury nominated three young horn players for the final on Friday, 15 May 2026, at the Markneukirchen Musikhalle. Antoine Jeannot, Brendan Connellan and Jan Vobořil once again faced the judgement of the seven-member expert jury and the audience, who, in keeping with tradition, were also allowed to vote for the Sparkasse Vogtland Audience Award.

In the final concert, the three soloists performed Richard Strauss’s Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 11, for horn and orchestra, impressing the audience with their great musical maturity, technical precision and expressive interpretation. They were accompanied by the Clara Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra Plauen-Zwickau under the baton of GMD Leo Siberski.

Following extensive deliberation, the jury awarded first, second and third prizes this year. The awards went to:

• First Prize: Antoine Jeannot (France)
• Second Prize: Brendan Connellan (United Kingdom)
• Third Prize: Jan Vobořil (Czech Republic)

At the winners’ concert on Saturday 16 May 2026, the finalists will once again perform for the audience – this time without the pressure of competition, presenting selected works from the various rounds of the competition. The first-prize winner will once again perform Richard Strauss’s final piece. Brendan Connellan and Jan Vobořil will perform works from the preliminary rounds, including *En Forêt* by Eugène Bozza and the *Andante* by Richard Strauss.