The 12th International Organ Competition of Biarritz, sponsored by the Academie André Marchal, was held October 20–24 in Biarritz, France, with 17 candidates from eight countries participating. The jury was chaired by François Sabatier and included American organist James Higdon.
In improvisation, Karol Mossakowski (Poland) won the Grand Prix André Marchal and audience prize; second prize was awarded to Geerten Liefting (Holland).
In interpretation, Ikuyo Mikami (Japan) won the Grand Prix André Marchal; second prize ex-aequo was awarded to Camille Bloche (France) and to Karol Mossakowski (Poland), who also received the audience prize in Interpretation.
Special prizes were awarded to Karol Mossakowski (Louis Vierne Prize), Camille Bloche and Ikuyo Mikami ex-aequo (Giuseppe Englert Memorial Prize for best interpretation of a contemporary work), and Melissa Oskwarek (France), the J. S. Bach Prize.
