Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award
Christian Blex is the 2025 Winner
Christian Blex convinced the international jury chaired by Manfred Honeck during the 2025 YCA Award Concert Weekend, taking the prize after leading a concert with the Camerata Salzburg at the Main Auditorium of the Mozarteum Foundation.
“Once again, almost 300 candidates from 55 countries applied for the Karajan Young Conductors Award. The three finalists had the chance to demonstrate their talent again this week, each of them leading three rehearsals and a concert. Therefore, the jury had the opportunity to gain a comprehensive picture of the candidates, who chose their respective programmes themselves. I am particularly grateful to Markus Hinterhäuser, Florian Wiegand and the entire organizational team, who offer tomorrow’s stars a sky to shine in today. It is wonderful that the Salzburg Festival is also a place where young artists are fostered.
I would also like to extend my warmest thanks to the Camerata Salzburg, a fantastic orchestra which gives this competition a framework that is more than dignified. It should not be taken for granted that these musicians dedicate themselves to this important task every year, with exemplary patience and passion. We did not reach our decision lightly. At this point, I would like to acknowledge the impressive work by all participants, especially the finalists, of course. It is encouraging to see that classical music continues to find enthusiastic performers,” says the Jury Chairman Manfred Honeck at the announcement of the 2025 winner
“Having won the Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award is an incredible privilege and a great joy. Being able to conduct a concert at the Salzburg Festival is a great dream coming true. I thank the Camerata Salzburg and Christopher Humbert Jr. from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful collaboration,” says this year’s winner, Christian Blex.
The Young Conductors Award was presented for the twelfth time this year. It carries a cash value of 15,000 € and takes place every two years. Furthermore, the prize entails conducting a Festival concert with the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna. This concert is recorded and released on CD as part of the series Salzburg Festival Documents.
The successful further careers enjoyed by past winners, Hankyeol Yoon (2023), Joel Sandelson (2021), Gábor Káli (2018), Kerem Hasan (2017), Aziz Shokhakimov (2016), Lorenzo Viotti (2015), Maxime Pascal (2014), Ben Gernon (2013), Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla (2012), Ainārs Rubikis (2011) and David Afkham (2010), demonstrate the Award’s international relevance.
“With the Young Conductors Award, the Salzburg Festival offers young talents an essential opportunity to gather experiences that are decisive for their further career paths. This year, the field of participants was full of stellar talent,” as Artistic Director Markus Hinterhäuser emphasizes.