Montreal International Musical Competition

The Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM) is an elite-level competition for classical musicians who are interested in pursuing an international career as a professional concert artist. Established in 2001 by the late André Bourbeau and by the late French-Canadian bass Joseph Rouleau, the CMIM features three disciplines - voice, violin and piano - on a rotating basis over a three-year cycle.

The CMIM is composed of four rounds: the preliminary round (based on video recordings), the first round, the semi-finals and the finals.[1] Award winners receive prizes and grants valued at over $150,000. The 2024 edition, dedicated to the piano, will be followed by the voice edition in 2025 and the violin edition in 2026.[2]

André Bourbeau was the president of the Competition since its first edition in 2002 and was succeeded by François R. Roy in 2018.

Since May 2004, the CMIM has been a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions.[3]

In September 2023, Chantal Poulin and Shira Gilbert were appointed as Executive Director and Artistic Director of the CMIM[4].

Editions

2024

The 2024 edition of the CMIM was dedicated to piano. It took place from May 5 to 16 and featured 24 competitors aged 19 to 29 from twelve different countries. For the first time in its history, the competition included a Chamber Music round during the first stage of the semifinal[5][6].

Canadian pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko won the first prize of the Piano 2024 edition and became the first Canadian laureate of an instrumental edition of the Concours musical international de Montréal[7][8].

Laureates[9]

Main Prizes[10]
RangConcurrentsPays
1st PrizeJaeden Izik-Dzurko  Canada
2nd PrizeGabriele Strata  Italy
3rd PrizeAnthony Ratinov  United States
FinalistElias Ackerley  UK /  South Korea
FinalistJakub Kuszlik  Poland
FinalistDerek Wang  United States

Special Prizes[11]

PrixGagnantPays
ICI Musique Audience Award,

Offered by ICI Musique

Gabriele Strata  Italy
Best Canadian Artist Award,

Offered by the Bourbeau Foundation

Jaeden Izik-Dzurko  Canada
Best performance of a Sonata in the Semifinal,

Offered by Anne Stevens

Jaeden Izik-Dzurko  Canada
André Bachand Award for the Best performance of the imposed Canadian work, Mzizaakok Miiniwaa Mzizaakoonsak (Horseflies and Deerflies) by Anishinaabekwe composer Barbara Assiginaak,

Offered by Claudette Hould

Jaeden Izik-Dzurko  Canada
Chamber Music Award,

Offered by Dixi Lambert and the Festival de musique de chambre de Montréal

Gabriele Strata  Italy
Junior Jury PrizeJakub Kuszlik  Poland
Bita Cattelan Philanthropic Engagement Award

Offered by Bita & Paolo Cattelan

Élisabeth Pion  Canada
Three CMIM Grants for the unranked finalists,

Offered by the Rouleau Family, Morris & Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation, and Louise Roy

Elias Ackerley

Jakub Kuszlik Derek Wang

 UK /  South Korea  Poland  United States

2023

The twenty-second edition of the CMIM was dedicated to violin. First prize was won by Dmytro Udovychenko.

Laureates

Main prizes
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstDmytro Udovychenko  Ukraine
SecondSongHa Choi  South Korea
ThirdSooBeen Lee  South Korea
FinalistNathan Meltzer  United States
FinalistMichael Shaham  Israel
FinalistRuslan Talas  Kazakhstan

Special prizes

PrizeWinnerCountry
ICI Musique's People's Choice AwardSongHa Choi  South Korea
André-Bourbeau Award for the best Canadian artistNot attributed
Sonata Award for the best performance of a sonata in the Semi-final roundSongHa Choi  South Korea
André-Bachand Award for the best performance of the imposed Canadian work, L'inconnu.e bouleversant.e by Luna Pearl WoolfSongHa Choi  South Korea
Award for the best performance of a work by J.S. BachDmytro Udovychenko  Ukraine
Award for the best performance of a virtuosic workYesong Sophie Lee  United States
Bita Cattelan Philanthropic Engagement AwardAaron Chan  Canada /  China
CMIM grants awarded to the three unranked finalistsNathan Meltzer
Michael Shaham
Ruslan Talas
 United States
 Israel  Kazakhstan
John Newmark Prize for the Best Collaborative PianistUmi Garrett  United States

2022

The twenty-first edition of the CMIM was dedicated to voice and featured two divisions - aria and art song. First prize in Aria was won by Simone McIntosh. First prize in Art Song was won by Meredith Wohlgemuth.

Laureates

Main prizes - Aria
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstSimone McIntosh  Canada
SecondSarah Dufresne Canada
ThirdValerie Eickhoff  Germany
FinalistNils Wanderer Germany
FinalistHugo Laporte  Canada
Main - Art Song
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstMeredith Wohlgemuth  United States
SecondHarriet Burns United Kingdom
ThirdBryan Murray  United States

Special prizes

PrizeWinnerCountry
ICI Musique People's Choice Award - AriaNils Wanderer Germany
ICI Musique People's Choice Award - Art SongDeepa Johnny Canada
Best Canadian Artist Award - AriaSimone McIntosh Canada
Best Canadian Artist Award - Art SongDeepa Johnny Canada
Opera Aria AwardSimone McIntosh  Canada
French Art Song AwardMeredith Wohlgemuth United States
German Lied AwardHarriet Burns United Kingdom
John Newmark Award for best collaborative pianistJinhee Park  South Korea
Bita Cattelan Philanthropic Engagement AwardAdanya Dunn  Bulgaria /  Canada
André Bachand Award for the Best Performance of a Canadian WorkMichael Lafferty  United Kingdom
Montreal students' coup de coeur PrizeSimone McIntosh

Sarah Dufresne

 Canada  Canada
CMIM grants awarded to two unranked finalistsNils Wanderer

Hugo Laporte

 Germany  Canada

2021

The twentieth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to piano. First prize was won by Su Yeon Kim, from South Korea.

Laureates

Main prizes
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstSu Yeon Kim  South Korea
SecondYoichiro Chiba Japan
ThirdDimitri Malignan  France
FinalistAlice Burla Canada
FinalistFrancesco Granata Italy
FinalistYing Li China
FinalistChaeyoung Park South Korea
FinalistMarcel Tadokoro France

Special prizes

PrizeWinnerCountry
ICI Musique Audience AwardDimitri Malignan  France
André-Bourbeau Award for the best Canadian artistAlice Burla Canada
Bita Cattelan Philanthropic Engagement AwardAnna Han United States
André-Bachand Award for the best performance of the compulsory Canadian workAlice Burla Canada
Festival Bach Montréal Award for the best performance of a work by J.S. BachDimitri Malignan  France
CMIM grants awarded to the five unranked finalistsAlice Bural
Francesco Granata
Ying Li

Chaeyoung Park

Marcel Tadokoro||  Canada
Italy
Ying Li South Korea

 France

2020

The COVID-19 confinement and closing of international borders prevented this nineteenth edition of the CMIM to be held. Instead, every day from May 4 to May 18, 2020, from their respective locations, the selected competitors performed short recitals, in anticipation of the competition, which was postponed to 2021.

2019

The eighteenth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to violin. First prize was won by Hao Zhou.

Laureates

Main prizes
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstHao Zhou  United States
SecondJohanna Pichlmair Austria
ThirdFumika Mohri  Japan
FinalistElli Choi United States / South Korea
FinalistAnna Lee United States / South Korea
FinalistChristine Lim United States / South Korea

Special prizes

PrizeWinnerCountry
Radio-Canada People's Choice AwardHao Zhou  United States
André-Bourbeau Award for the best Canadian artistNot attributed
Sonata Award for the best performance of a sonata in the semi-finalsAnna Lee United States / South Korea
André-Bachand Award for the best performance of the compulsory Canadian work, Stand Alone by Michael OesterleJohanna Pichlmair  Austria
Montreal Bach Festival Award for the best performance of a work by J.S. BachJohanna Pichlmair  Austria
CMIM grants awarded to the three unranked finalistsElli Choi
Yejin Noh
Jinhyung Park
 United States
United States / South Korea
United States / South Korea

2018

The seventeenth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to voice and featured two divisions - aria and art song. First prize in Aria was won by Mario Bahg. First prize in Art Song was won by John Brancy.

Laureates

Main prizes
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstMario Bahg  South Korea
SecondEmily D'Angelo Canada
ThirdKonstantin Lee  South Korea
FinalistJohn Brancy United States
FinalistMikhail Golovushkin  Russia
FinalistAndrew Haji Canada

Main Prizes - Art Song

RankCompetitorCountry
FirstJohn Brancy United States
SecondJulien Van MellaertsNew Zealand/United Kingdom
ThirdClara Osowksi United States
FinalistGemma Summerfield United Kingdom

Special prizes

PrizeWinnerCountry
Radio-Canada People's Choice Award - AriaEmily D'Angelo Canada
Radio-Canada's People Choice Award - Art SongClara Osowksi United States
Best Canadian Artist Award - AriaEmily D'Angelo Canada
Best Canadian Artist Award - Art SongRihab Chaieb Canada
Opera Aria AwardMario Bahg  South Korea
Oratorio AwardAndrew Haji Canada
French Mélodie AwardJohn Brancy United States
Lied AwardJulien Van MellaertsNew Zealand/United Kingdom
John Newmark Award for best collaborative pianistJoao AraujoPortugal

2017

The sixteenth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to piano. The Grand prize was won by Zoltan Fejervari.

Laureates

Main prize
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstZoltán Fejévári  Hungary
SecondGiuseppe Guarrera  Italy
ThirdStefano Andreatta  Italy
FinalistAlbert Cano Smit  Spain
FinalistYejin Noh  South Korea
FinalistJinhyung Park  South Korea

Special prizes

PrizeWinnerCountry
Radio-Canada People's Choice AwardGiuseppe Guarrera  Italy
André-Bachand Award for the best performance of the compulsory Canadian work in the semifinalsGiuseppe Guarrera  Italy
Award for the best semifinal recitalGiuseppe Guarrera  Italy
Chopin Award for the most outstanding performance of a work for solo keyboard by Frédéric ChopinGiuseppe Guarrera  Italy
Bach Award for the most outstanding performance of a work for solo keyboard by J.S. BachGiuseppe Guarrera  Italy
CMIM grants awarded to the three unranked finalistsAlbert Cano Smit
Yejin Noh
Jinhyung Park
 Spain /  Netherlands
 South Korea
 South Korea

2016

The fifteenth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to violin. The Grand Prize was won by Ayana Tsuji.[12]

Laureates

Main prize[12]
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstAyana Tsuji  Japan
SecondBomsori Kim  South Korea
ThirdMinami Yoshida  Japan
FinalistPetteri Iivonen  Finland
FinalistJi Won Song  South Korea
FinalistFedor Rudin  Russia

Special prizes[12]

PrizeWinnerCountry
Radio-Canada People's Choice AwardBomsori Kim  South Korea
André-Bachand Award for the best performance of the compulsory Canadian work in the semifinalsAyana Tsuji  Japan
Award for the best semifinal recitalAyana Tsuji  Japan
Award for the best performance of a Sonata in the semifinal roundAyana Tsuji  Japan
Bach Award for the best performance of a work by J.S. Bach in the quarter-final roundAyana Tsuji  Japan
Paganini Award for the best performance of a Caprice by Paganini in the quarter-final roundAyana Tsuji  Japan
CMIM grants awarded to the three unranked finalistsPetteri Iivonen
Fedor Rudin
Ji Won Song
 Finland
 France  Russia
 South Korea

2015

The fourteenth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to voice. The Grand Prize was won by Keonwoo Kim.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2014 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountryVocal Range
FirstKeonwoo Kim South KoreaTenor
SecondHera Hyesang Park South KoreaSoprano
ThirdFrance Bellemare CanadaSoprano
FinalistAnaïs Constans FranceSoprano
FinalistVasil Garvanliev MacedoniaBaritone
FinalistTakaoki Onishi JapanBaritone

Special prizes

  • Radio-Canada People's Choice Award
  • André Bourbeau Award for the Best Canadian Artist
    • France Bellemare (soprano), Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Award for the Best Artist from Quebec
    • France Bellemare (soprano), Canada
  • Award for the best semi-final recital
    • Anaïs Constans (soprano), France

2014

The thirteenth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to piano. The Grand Prize was won by Jayson Gillham.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2014 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstJayson Gillham Australia / United Kingdom
SecondCharles Richard-Hamelin Canada
ThirdAnnika Treutler Germany
FinalistKate Liu United States
FinalistXiaoyu Liu Canada
FinalistAlexander Ullman United Kingdom

Special prizes

  • Radio-Canada People's Choice Award
    • Jayson Gillham, Australia/United Kingdom
  • Award for the Best Performance of the Compulsory Canadian Work
    • Jayson Gillham, Australia/United Kingdom
  • André Bourbeau Award for the Best Canadian Artist
    • Charles Richard Hamelin

2013

The twelfth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to violin. The Grand Prize was won by Marc Bouchkov.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2013 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstMarc Bouchkov Belgium
SecondStephen Waarts United States
ThirdZeyu Victor Li China
FinalistChi Li Taiwan
FinalistJi Young Lim South Korea
FinalistFédor Roudine France

Special prizes

  • Radio-Canada People's Choice Award
  • Award for the Best Performance of the Compulsory Canadian Work
    • Luke Hsu, United States
  • Wilder & Davis Award for the best semi-final recital
    • Marc Bouchkov, Belgium

2012

The eleventh edition of the Montreal International Musical Competition was dedicated to voice. The Grand Prize was won by Philippe Sly.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2012 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountryVocal Range
FirstPhilippe Sly CanadaBass Baritone
SecondOlga Kindler SwitzerlandSoprano
ThirdJohn Brancy United StatesBaritone
FinalistWon Whi Choi South KoreaTenor
FinalistEmily Duncan-Brown CanadaSoprano
FinalistYuri Gorodetski BelarusTenor
FinalistSidney Outlaw United StatesBaritone
FinalistAndréanne Paquin CanadaSoprano

Special prizes

  • Radio-Canada People's Choice Award
    • Philippe Sly (bass baritone), Canada
  • Award for the Best Performance of the Compulsory Canadian Work
    • Philippe Sly (bass baritone), Canada
  • Award for the Best Canadian Artist
    • Philippe Sly (bass baritone), Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Award for the Best Artist from Quebec
    • Philippe Sly (bass baritone), Canada
  • Atma Classique Award for a CD Recording
    • Yuri Gorodetski (tenor), Belarus

2011

The tenth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to piano. The Grand Prize was won by Beatrice Rana.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2011 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstBeatrice Rana Italy
SecondLindsay Garritson United States
ThirdHenry Kramer United States
FinalistYulia Chaplina Russia
FinalistZheeyoung Moon South Korea
FinalistJong Ho Won South Korea

Special prizes

  • Radio-Canada People's Choice Award
    • Beatrice Rana, Italy
  • Award for the Best Performance of the Compulsory Canadian Work
    • Beatrice Rana, Italy
  • Award for the Best Canadian Artist
    • Tina Chong, Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Award for the Best Artist from Quebec
    • Steven Massicotte, Canada

2010

The ninth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to violin. The Grand Prize was won by Benjamin Beilman.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2010 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstBenjamin Beilman United States
SecondKorbinian Altenberger Germany
ThirdNikita Borisoglebsky Russia
FinalistNoah Bendix-Balgley United States
FinalistJaeyoung Kim South Korea
FinalistKyoko Yonemoto Japan

Special prizes

  • Radio-Canada People's Choice Award
    • Benjamin Beilman, United States
  • Award for the Best Canadian Artist
    • Nikki Chooi, Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Award for the Best Artist from Quebec
    • Boson Mo, Canada
  • Award for the Best Performance of the Compulsory Canadian Work
    • Nikita Borisoglebsky (Baritone), Russia

2009

The eighth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to voice. The Grand Prize was won by Angela Meade.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2009 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountryVocal Range
FirstAngela Meade United StatesSoprano
SecondYannick-Muriel Noah CanadaSoprano
ThirdAndrew Garland United StatesBaritone

Special prizes

  • "Tribute to André Turp" (People's Choice Award)
    • Angela Meade (Soprano), United States
  • Award for the Best Canadian Artist
    • Yannick-Muriel Noah (Soprano), Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Prize (Best Candidate from Quebec)
    • Charlotte Corwin(Soprano), Canada
  • Best performance of the Compulsory Canadian Work Award
    • Andrew Garland (Baritone), United States

2008

The seventh edition of the CMIM was dedicated to piano. The Grand Prize was won by Nareh Arghamanyan.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2008 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstNareh Arghamanyan Armenia
Second (ex aequo)Alexandre Moutouzkine Russia
Second (ex aequo)Masataka Takada Japan

Special prizes

  • Award for the Best Performance of the Compulsory Canadian Work
    • Nareh Arghamanyan, Armenia
  • People's Choice Award "Tribute to Yvonne Hubert"
    • Nareh Arghamanyan, Armenia
  • Joseph Rouleau Award for the Best Artist from Quebec
    • Marie-Hélène Trempe, Canada
  • Award for the Best Canadian Artist
    • Sergei Saratovsky, Canada

2007

The sixth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to voice. The Grand Prize was won by Marianne Fiset.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2006 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountryVocal range
FirstMarianne Fiset CanadaSoprano
SecondSteven Ebel United StatesTenor
ThirdEvgenia Grekova RussiaSoprano
FourthJulie Boulianne CanadaMezzo-soprano
FifthLeticia Brewer CanadaSoprano
SixthPeter Barrett CanadaBaritone

Special prizes

  • "Tribute to Leopold Simoneau" (People's Choice Award)
    • Marianne Fiset (Soprano), Canada
  • Jean A. Chalmers Award (Best Canadian Candidate)
    • Marianne Fiset (Soprano), Canada
  • Poulenc French Song Award (Best French Song performance by a Candidate)
    • Marianne Fiset (Soprano), Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Prize (Best Candidate from Quebec)
    • Marianne Fiset (Soprano), Canada
  • Best performance of the Compulsory Canadian Work Award
    • Susanne Ellen Kirchesch (Soprano), Germany

2006

The fifth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to violin. The Grand Prize was won by Jinjoo Cho.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2006 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstJinjoo Cho South Korea
SecondYe-Eun Choi South Korea
ThirdMarcus Tanneberger (German) Germany
FourthCorinne Chapelle United States
FifthMayuko Kamio Japan
SixthDan Zhu China

Special prizes

  • "Tribute to Gilles Lefebvre" (People's Choice Award)
    • Jinjoo Cho, South Korea
  • CBC Galaxie Rising Stars Award (Best Canadian Candidate)
    • Nikki Chooi, Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Prize (Best Candidate from Quebec)
    • Jean-Sébastien Roy, Canada
  • Best Interpretation of the Compulsory Canadian Work Award
    • Ye-Eun Choi, South Korea

2005

The fourth edition of the CMIM was dedicated to voice. The Grand Prize was won by Sin Nyung Hwang.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2005 Montreal International Musical Competition
PlaceCompetitorCountryVocal Range
FirstSin Nyung Hwang South KoreaSoprano
SecondPeter McGillivray CanadaBaritone
ThirdElena Xanthoudakis AustraliaSoprano
Fourth (ex aequo)Phillip Addis CanadaBaritone
Fourth (ex aequo)Anna Kasyan ArmeniaSoprano
SixthChantal Dionne CanadaSoprano

Special prizes

  • "Tribute to Richard Verreau" (People's Choice Award)
    • Lauren Skuce (Soprano), United States
  • Jean A. Chalmers Award (Best Canadian Candidate)
    • Peter McGillivray (Baritone), Canada
  • CBC Galaxie Rising Stars Award (Best opera performance by a Canadian)
    • Phillip Addis (Baritone), Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Prize (Best Candidate from Quebec)
    • Phillip Addis (Baritone), Canada
  • Best Interpretation of the Compulsory Canadian Work Award
    • Elena Xanthoudakis (Soprano), Australia

2004

The third edition of the CMIM was dedicated to piano. The Grand Prize was won by Serhiy Salov.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2004 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstSergei Salov Ukraine
SecondDavid Fray France
ThirdDaria Rabotkina Russia
FourthSpencer Myer United States
FifthNatalia Zagalskaia Russia
SixthDarrett Zusko Canada

Special prizes

  • "Tribute to André Mathieu" (People's Choice Award)
    • Sergei Solov, Ukraine
  • CBC Galaxie Rising Stars Award (Best Canadian Candidate)
    • Darrett Zusko, Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Prize (Best Candidate from Quebec)
    • Matthieu Fortin, Canada
  • Best Interpretation of the Unpublished Compulsory Work Award
    • David Fray, France

2003

The second edition of the CMIM was dedicated to violin. The First Prize was won by Yossif Ivanov.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2003 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountry
FirstYossif Ivanov Belgium
SecondAlexis Cardenas Venezuela
ThirdMatthieu Arama France
FourthNicolas Koeckert Germany
FifthOleg Kashiv Ukraine
SixthJulia Sakharova Russia

Special prizes

  • "Tribute to Arthur LeBlanc" (People's Choice Award)
    • Alexis Cardenas, Venezuela
  • CBC Galaxie Rising Stars Award (Best Canadian Candidate)
    • Sarah Pratt, Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Prize (Best Candidate from Quebec)
    • Jean-Sébastien Roy, Canada
  • Best Interpretation of the Unpublished Compulsory Work Award
    • Diana Galvydyte, Lithuania

2002

The inaugural CMIM was dedicated to voice. The First Prize was won by Measha Brueggergosman.

Laureates

Laureates of the 2002 Montreal International Musical Competition
RankCompetitorCountryVocal Range
FirstMeasha Brueggergosman CanadaSoprano
SecondBurak Bilgili TurkeyBass
ThirdJoseph Kaiser CanadaBaritone
FourthMélanie Boisvert CanadaSoprano
FifthDaesan No South KoreaBaritone
SixthJohn Matz United StatesTenor

Special prizes

  • People's Award
    • Measha Brueggergosman (Soprano), Canada
  • Jean A. Chalmers Award (Best Canadian Candidate)
    • Measha Brueggergosman (Soprano), Canada
  • Joseph Rouleau Prize (Best Candidate from Quebec)
    • Joseph Kaiser (Baritone), Canada
  • Best Interpretation of the Unpublished Compulsory Work Award
    • Measha Brueggergosman (Soprano), Canada

References