Jury members and the young musicians who performed at the Anniversary Concert
(c) Andreas Domjanic
The Jury of the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Discovery Award with a festive concert organized during their Genera Assembly at the Music Academy Liechtenstein.
In 2016, the International Classical Music Awards organized for the first time the Discovery Award for young musicians aged 12 to 18. The award was initiated by former jury member Luis Suñen (Scherzo) and after subsequent discussions between jury president Remy Franck and the managing director of the International Music Academy Liechtenstein, Drazen Domjanic. Since then, this award has been organized year after year by the ICMA in collaboration with the Music Academy Liechtenstein.
The four outstanding young musicians who performed at the Anniversary concert were Maya Wichert, Lana Zorjan, Robert Neumann, and Can Sarac.
Jury members and the young musicians who performed at the Anniversary Concert
(c) Andreas Domjanic
The very first winner was flutist Nikolai Song. He received his award in 2016 in San Sebastian. He was appointed Assistant Principal Flute of the Sinfonieorchester Basel, and later was serving as Principal Flute of the Berner Sinfonieorchester. He was recently appointed Principal flute of the Pittsburgh Symphony (Manfred Honeck, Music Director, ICMA Lifetime Achievement winner in 2018).
Nikolai says: « The ICMA Discovery Award was a deeply meaningful milestone for me at an important moment in my development. Looking back many years after receiving the award, it gave me the foundation and confidence to continue building my artistic personality.
I am deeply grateful to ICMA for its contribution to musicians. The Discovery Award has accompanied me over the years, and I cherish the privilege and responsibility of being a musician in today’s society, as well as the importance of sharing music and doing good through it. »
German pianist Robert Neumann (*2001) received his award in 2017 at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. He is currently Artist in residence at the Mendelssohn Haus Leipzig and won the German Piano Award in 2025. Robert says: « The ICMA is in my comprehension the epitome of support and trust I was granted long before my path chose me to take it. The assurance of some few believing in my artistry, before barely one else did, was a salient contribution to me evolving all my kinds of art. The ICMA feels like a silent sentinel and a carefree friend, always up for well-intentioned advice wherever needed and a loving, guarding watch over our significant artistic steps. »
In 2018 (Katowice), the winner was Chinese flutist Yuan Yu (*2001) who is currently principal flute at the Konzerthausorchester Berlin.
Russian-Armenian pianist Eva Gevorgyan (*2004) won in 2019 and received her award at the KKL in Lucerne. She is pursuing a brilliant career as soloist. She says: « I felt very happy and privileged to be the winner of 2019 Discovery Award. It gave me a boost in development as a musician. Performance at Gala concert with Maestro Lawrence Foster and the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra at the iconic concert hall KKL in Lucerne was one of the most important events in my life. It was a highlight that helped me to believe in myself. I feel honored to be a part of ICMA family and I and very grateful to Remy Franck for this! »
In 2020, the COVID year, the winner was German cellist Philipp Schupelius. He was due to perform at the Award Gala in Seville, but this concert was cancelled due to the pandemic. In August 2023, Philipp Schupelius won the German Music Competition in Bonn.
The German violinist Maya Wichert (*2006) received her award in 2021 in Vaduz. She says: « Five years ago, I had the great honor of being named the winner of the Discovery Award. At the time, I was only 14 and just at the beginning of my musical journey. Despite my deep love for music, there were moments when I doubted myself and wondered whether I was good enough. Receiving this award showed me that people believed in me, and that belief truly kept me going. The award became more than just a great honor — it was a source of strength throughout my journey, helping me continue to believe in myself. »
Violinist Julian Kainrath (*2005) was awarded the Discovery Award in 2002 in Luxemburg. The musician, who is pursuing a brilliant career as soloist and chamber musician, says: « I was fortunate to have had the honor and pleasure of receiving the ICMA Discovery Award 2022. This experience was absolutely decisive for my development, both as a musician and as a human being. Thanks to the support of ICMA, I met incredibly inspiring people who shaped me—directly and indirectly—and continue to do so. For a 16-year-old Julian, this award may well have been a turning point, as I believe it helped me grow and gain a deeper understanding of many aspects of life, both within and beyond music. Thank you for placing your trust in us young musicians through this award, and for your continued support of talent and vision. »
Austrian violinist Leonhard Baumgartner (2007) was the winner in 2023 in Wroclaw. He has won numerous international prizes, including first prize at the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition, and the Carl Flesch Prize. In August 2024, he won the Eurovision Young Musicians Competition. He won first prize, the Grand Prix across all categories, and the audience prize in October 2024 at the Osaka International Music Competition in Japan.
He says: « The ICMA Discovery Award was an important career boost for me. It gave me valuable insights and contacts in the music world. The award ceremony and gala concert were an extraordinary, wonderful experience. It was great to play Camille Saint-Saëns’ Havanaise with the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic under Giancarlo Guerrero, and I am infinitely grateful to the ICMA for making this possible. I wish the International Classical Music Awards every success in their ongoing commitment to music. »
In 2024 Lana Zorjan (*2008) received the Discovery Award in Valencia. The young and successful soloist writes: « Winning the ICMA Discovery Award 2024 was not only a milestone in my career, but a profound life-changing journey. Each step carried emotions I will forever hold close – gratitude, humility, joy, and fulfillment.
This award opened doors I once only dreamed of, allowing my career to bloom in ways I could never have imagined. Yet, even more importantly, it transformed me as a person. Life has brought me so much since that moment – growth, challenges, new stages and strength – and I feel that I have matured not only as an artist, but as a human being. The entire journey has taught me resilience, gratitude, and the beauty of trusting the path when others believe in you too.
I am eternally grateful to be part of the beautiful ICMA family. This award will always remain a defining chapter of my life – not only for the opportunities it gave me, but for the person it helped me become. »
Turkish pianist Can Sarac (*2007) was the winner in 2025 and received the prize at the Tonhalle in Düsseldorf. He says: « Winning the ICMA 2025 Discovery Award was a decisive moment in my artistic journey. At a formative stage of my career, it became a powerful source of motivation and encouragement, strengthening my belief in my own artistic path. Being part of the ICMA Young Artist network opened valuable connections and new perspectives, and it has already led to two important upcoming concerts that I am approaching with great excitement and gratitude. As a young and developing artist, being honored with such a prestigious award has had a significant influence on my artistic and professional development, and it continues to inspire me to deepen my work and broaden my artistic perspective. It is a true privilege to be part of the ICMA family.”
The future of the ICMA Discovery Award became even more important when the jury established the ICMA Network for Young Artist Awards in collaboration with eight partners, Cultur in Cannstatt, Danish Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Esperanza Vaduz, Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra,
Transylvania State Philharmonic, and Westdeutsche Sinfonia.
ICMA President Remy Franck says: » This network is an important tool to help the winning musicians in their careers. These days, we talk a lot about sustainability. This should also be a key consideration for any music award. It’s unacceptable to give out awards and then leave young musicians to fend for themselves. From the very beginning, we have always told them that they are part of the ICMA family and that we will support them with advice and assistance if they want it. In this respect, the ICMA Network for the Young Artist Awards is an important extension of our awards. »
