Winners of the 2025 Zoltán Kodály International Music Competition Released on Album
It is now a given that every other year, the crème de la crème of the international classical music scene converges on Debrecen, Hungary. Launched in 2022, the Zoltán Kodály International Music Competition has become the premier partner to the biennial Béla Bartók International Choir Competition, which itself has recently enjoyed a powerful resurgence.
The 2025 Focus: Brass Talents
Following previous editions dedicated to strings and conductors, the 2025 Zoltán Kodály International Music Competition turned its spotlight on brass instruments. Now, thanks to Hungaroton, a wider audience can relive the competition’s finest highlights.
Set for release at the end of May, the album Winners of Kodály Competition Debrecen – Brass 2025 features four standout young laureates. These artists rose to the top of a competitive field of 110 applicants from 26 countries, impressing a distinguished professional jury led by Marie-Luise Neunecker.
Featured Artists and Repertoire
The album showcases a thrilling selection of 20th-century and contemporary brass repertoire:
Sandro Hirsch (Germany): Principal trumpet of the Beethoven Orchester Bonn, performing Henri Tomasi’s virtuosic Trumpet Concerto.
Brendan Connellan (UK): Academy member of the Staatskapelle Berlin, delivering a characterful rendition of Jiří Pauer’s Horn Concerto.
Mustafa Khalilov (Azerbaijan): Principal trombone of the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra, performing Ernest Bloch’s Symphony for Trombone and Orchestra.
Karsa Vanyó (Hungary): A phenomenal talent who was barely eighteen at the time of the competition, performing Oskar Böhme’s Concerto in F minor, alongside Cover—a contemporary piece by Roland Szentpáli inspired by the artistry of Zoltán Kodály.
Behind the Recording
Throughout the album, the soloists are backed by the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Imre Kollár. For the Böhme concerto, pianist Marcell Szabó joins as the collaborative artist.
The sessions took place on July 12–13, 2025, at the Kölcsey Centre in Debrecen. The album’s pristine sound is credited to recording producer and balance engineer Zoltán Osváth, along with Zsuzsa Dvorák.
The recording and the competition itself were made possible through the generous support of the University of Debrecen, Papageno, the Kodály Philharmonic, and JM Hungary.
Looking Ahead
Debrecen’s prestigious lineup of international events continues this year with the 30th Béla Bartók International Choir Competition from July 2–5. Next year, the spotlight returns to instruments for the 4th Zoltán Kodály International Music Competition, which will see young oboists, flutists, and clarinetists compete from June 26 to July 4, 2027.