Menuhin Conducting Prize Goes to Kreutzmann and Jackson
Leonhard Kreutzmann of Germany and Tess Jackson of the United Kingdom were awarded the Menuhin Conducting Prize as part of the Menuhin Festival Gstaad.
The jury decided to «award a double prize in recognition of the outstanding talent of both young conductors.» In 2026, an Audience Choice Award was also introduced for the first time. During the final concert, the audience voted digitally for their favorite. With 23 percent of the votes, Gonzalo Alacrón Burriel from Spain won the Audience Award.
With the Menuhin Conducting Prize, the Menuhin Festival Gstaad continues its longstanding commitment to supporting young conductors. Launched in 2015 as the Neeme Järvi Prize, the award was presented in 2026 with a «refined focus and a stronger emphasis on the long-term development of young talent.» This year, ten young conductors worked with Jaap van Zweden, Alexander Shelley, Johannes Schlaefli, and Stef Collignon as part of the Conducting Academy. The highlight of the master class was the final concert in the Gstaad Festival Tent.
