In an exciting final on 3 August played on the competition’s namesake, the Martini organ, Dutch organist Wibren Jonkers ultimately received a higher rating from the jury than the two other finalists. Francesco Botti (Italy) came in second and Samuel Giddy from Australia received the third prize.
The international jury, consisting of Bernard Foccroulle (Belgium), Monica Melcova (Slovakia), Vincent Thévenaz (Switzerland), Matthias Havinga (Netherlands) and Ville Urponen (Finland), faced a not easy task. All three finalists performed at the top of their abilities.
The program included a composition by Matthias Weckmann (17th-century) and a choice of three works by J.S. Bach (early 18th-century), in addition to a work by Jan Brandts Buys (20th century) and the movement “Grand Jeu” from “Five Light Pieces” (2009) by composer/organist Reitze Smits. Reitze Smits, a member of the IMOCG jury in 2022, was himself present at the final.
The jury took fifteen minutes to deliberate. Before the chairman Bernard Foccroulle announced the results, he congratulated and complimented the organization on the high level exhibited during the competition week. He called it an exceptional competition and praised the young organists who with so much passion and talent played the demanding and also eclectic repertoire – well chosen by the artistic committee – on the beautiful and equally demanding Groningen organs. The jury was very pleased to find that there is so much talent among young organists and that gives courage for the future. A new generation of organists is rising and that is the most important requirement to preserve our instruments for the future.
Announcement
The chairman then proceeded to announce the results. The winner of the competition was: Wibren Jonkers. Wibren wins, in addition to eternal fame, 5,000 euros, offered by the Prins Claus Conservatorium Groningen. He will also receive an invitation to play concerts in 2025 in organ series of Avondtmusyck (Martinikerk Groningen), the Grote Kerk in Dordrecht and the Grote or Stevenskerk in Nijmegen.
The second prize was for Francesco Botti: a sum of 3,000 euros offered by Stichting Erven A. de Jager. There are also invitations for Francesco to give concerts, namely in the Westerkerk in Enkhuizen and in the Catharinakerk in Roden.
The third prize was for Samuel Giddy. He won a prize of 2000 euros, offered by Stichting Groningen Orgelland.
Next edition
With that, this edition of the IMOCG has come to an end. Next year, Groningen Orgelstad will host the Schnitger Festival from October 16-19, alternating annually with the organ competition. In 2026 it will be the turn of the organ competition again: from 2 to 8 August, the International Martini Organ Competition Groningen will again be ‘in Stad’.
