Canadian International Organ Competition held in October

The Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC) took place in October. During the finals, each of the five finalists played a 60-minute recital; repertoire was left to their discretion, with the exception of the compulsory piece by Franz Liszt, Variations on Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen.



The competitors vied for a total of $72,000 in prizes. First prize of $30,000 was awarded by an international jury of nine organ experts to American Christian Lane, who also enjoys a three-year management contract with Karen McFarlane Artists, a CD recording with ATMA Classique, and career management and coaching from the CIOC.



The second prize of $15,000 went to German competitor Jens Korndörfer, who, in the final round, also won the $2,000 Liszt prize. Third prize ($10,000) was awarded to two finalists: Balthasar Baumgartner from Germany and Jean-Willy Kunz from France. The jury awarded the $2,000 Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO) prize to American finalist Jared Ostermann for the best interpretation of a Canadian composition. The audience voted for Jean-Willy Kunz for the $4,000 Richard Bradshaw audience prize. In addition to the official awards ceremony, the closing event featured recitals by the top four prizewinners. For information:
www.ciocm.org.