International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) announce the 2026 winners

The Jury of the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) has announced the winners of the 2026 edition.

Jury President Remy Franck says: "After careful consideration, much listening, and with all their expertise the ICMA jury members have chosen the winners from a nomination list comprising 307 releases and a wide range of artists and labels. The winner list includes many renowned as well as young musicians and no less than 17 international labels! Our awards offer numerous benefits to the winners, artists, as well as to labels, enhancing their reputation and boosting their motivation."

The awards for 2026 include again the ICMA Classeek Award which is organized in collaboration with the digital platform Classeek and continue the long-lasting cooperation with the International Music Academy Liechtenstein, so that together with the Young Artist Award, the jury promotes three young and highly promising talents, Anja Mittermüller, Mariam Abouzhara and Antony Ratinov.

Pianist Stephen Kovacevich wins the Lifetime Achievement Award. Conductor Jakub Hrůša is Artist of the Year. Péter Zombola wins the Composer Award. LSO Live is Label of the Year. Special Achievement Awards are granted to the Bamberger Symphoniker and to the label Le Palais des Dégustateurs for their Païta series. In the audio and video categories, 18 productions have been awarded.

A big congratulations to IMZ Members: LSO Live for Label of the Year; BR Klassik for Choral Album of the Year; Deutsche Grammophon for Solo Instrument and Premiere Recording; Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings for Assorted Programmes; and Accentus Music and PARS Media/ Naxos for VIDEO: Performance & Documentaries.

The winners will receive their trophies at the annual awards ceremony, which will take place at the Keilberth Hall in Bamberg on 18 March 2026. The evening will also feature a gala concert with several of the winners performing alongside the Bamberger Symphoniker, conducted by Jakub Hrůša.

The full list of winners can be accessed via the link below.