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GUANZHOU, CHINA

Guangzhou's Flute Competition Celebrates a New Generation

Competitions

Founded in honour of the legendary flutist Aurèle Nicolet, the 6th Intl. Flute Competition Guangzhou brought together emerging performers and leading international artists. Three flutists received awards, while the jury decided not to award a first prize.

The International Flute Competition Guangzhou concluded its 2026 edition in October, continuing a tradition that began twenty years ago in Beijing. Established in 2006 as the Beijing Nicolet International Flute Competition, the event was created to celebrate the 80th birthday of the distinguished flutist and pedagogue Aurèle Nicolet (1926–2016). Nicolet himself chaired the jury of the inaugural competition, lending his artistic authority to an initiative intended to encourage young flutists and strengthen musical exchange between Asia and Europe.

The competition's origins are closely connected to Nicolet's former students Qiling and Sanqing Chen, who have played a central role in its development. Nicolet entrusted them with his personal collection of flute music, which subsequently became the foundation of the Swiss-Chinese Flute Center in Guangzhou. Following two editions in Beijing, the competition moved to Guangzhou in 2014, where it has continued to develop as an international meeting place for young musicians and established performers. Now a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, the event retains its distinctive connection to Nicolet's artistic and educational legacy.

Final round with Raylliant Orchestra and Sanqing Chen (Conductor)

Held from 28 September to 8 October 2026, the sixth edition offered a demanding programme encompassing Baroque, Classical, Romantic and contemporary repertoire. An important addition was a newly commissioned work by composer and flutist Gergely Ittzés, included as a compulsory piece in the semifinal round. The competition also maintained its commitment to nurturing local talent through a dedicated preliminary selection process, while welcoming participants from the wider international flute community. The final round featured the Raylliant Orchestra under conductor Sanqing Chen

The jury, jointly chaired by Michael Faust and Michael Kofler, decided not to award a first prize. The highest distinction, second prize, went to 31-year-old Yaejin Lee. Third prize was shared ex aequo by Elena Krivorotova, aged 20, and Yena Lim, aged 26. Their recognition underlines the competition's role in providing visibility and professional opportunities for emerging flutists at different stages of their artistic development.

Yaejin Lee, second prize winner

Yaejin Lee, who received the second prize, has studied at Seoul National University and the Karlsruhe University of Music, where she completed her master's degree and advanced performance studies. Her previous distinctions include awards at the KBS-KEPCO Music Competition and the International Kuhlau Competition. She has gained orchestral experience with the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz and the Heidelberg Theatre and Orchestra, and has served as principal flutist of the Gunpo Prime Philharmonic Orchestra.

Elena Krivorotova is currently a fourth-year student at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, studying with Olga Ivusheikova. At just 20 years of age, her third prize in Guangzhou represents an important international distinction at an early stage of her professional development.

Sharing third prize, Yena Lim is pursuing her master's degree at the Freiburg University of Music in the class of Mario Caroli. Her award, worth CHF 6,000, continues a successful connection between the Freiburg institution and the Guangzhou competition: in 2022, fellow Freiburg student Gaia Bergamaschi also received a second prize.

With its combination of demanding repertoire, international artistic exchange and a strong educational tradition, the Guangzhou competition continues to build upon the vision of its founders. Twenty years after its establishment, its commitment to developing young musicians remains closely connected to the legacy of Aurèle Nicolet.

Elena Krivorotova, third prize winner

Yena Lim, third prize winner

Awards
First prize: Not awarded
Second prize: Yaejin Lee (31)
Third prize: Elena Krivorotova (20), Moscow and Yena Lim (26), Freiburg (Ex-aequo)

Jury
Michael Faust (Chair), Michael Kofler (Chair), Michel Bellavance, Gergely Ittzés, Yong Ma, Gaby Pas-von Riet, Qi Yan, Sarah Louvion, Quan Gan, Maurice Steger (Special guest judge), Sanqing Chen (Special guest judge)

Artists
Raylliant Orchestra/ Sanqing Chen (Conductor)

© WFIMC 2026