Inaugural harp competition focusing on 18th-century music to be held in Versailles in October

The Association Internationale des Harpistes et Amis de la Harpe (A.I.H.A.H., International Association of Harpists and Friends of the Harp) will hold its first competition Oct. 16–18, 2026, at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional (CRR) de Versailles Grand Parc. The Concours International de Harpe Marie-Antoinette is open to harpists of all nationalities between the ages of 10 and 36 and focuses on original 18th-century harp repertoire. Contestants may compete on either a single-action harp or a modern double-action harp in one of three levels of difficulty (Young Hope, Young Talent, and Excellence). Required repertoire is listed below; see the competition page for editions and further details. Applications are due by Sept. 17.

Young Hope

• Martin-Pierre Dalvimare, Air russe varié no. 3, op. 25
• Jan Ladislav Dussek: Choose one sonatine from Six Sonatines op. 20

Young Talent (double-action)

• Philippe-Jacques Meyer, Sonata no. 4 from Sei Sonate a solo per l’harpa, op. 3
• Choose one sonata from the following:
  • François-Joseph Naderman, Sonata no. 5 from Sept sonates progressives
  • François-Joseph Naderman, Sonata no. 6 from Sept sonates progressives
  • John Parry, Sonata no. 1 from Four New Sonatas for the Harp
  • John Parry, Sonata no. 3 from Four New Sonatas for the Harp

Young Talent (single-action)

• Philippe-Jacques Meyer, Sonata no. 4 from Sei Sonate a solo per l’harpa, op. 3
• Choose one sonata from the following:
  • François-Joseph Naderman, Sonata no. 4 from Sept sonates progressives
  • François-Joseph Naderman, Sonata no. 5 from Sept sonates progressives
  • Jean-Baptiste Krumpholtz, Prélude no. 1 op. 2
  • Jean-Baptiste Krumpholtz, Prélude no. 2 op. 2

Excellence first round (double-action or single-action)

• Ludwig Spohr, Fantaisie
• An original composition for harp by a composer born in the 18th century (maximum duration: 6 minutes)

Excellence second round (double-action)

• Joseph Anton Steffan, Concerto no. 2
• François Joseph Dizi, Grande Sonate

Excellence second round (single-action)

• Joseph Anton Steffan, Concerto no. 3
• Nicolas-Charles Bochsa, Grande Fantaisie et variations sur la romance favorite de la petite Cendrillon de Steibelt