Six International Saxophonists Reach Final of Andorra Sax Fest's Solo Sax Competition 2026

Six international saxophonists have advanced to Saturday's final of the Solo Sax Competition 2026 at the Andorra Sax Fest, representing Hungary, Spain, Russia, and Japan.

The finalists are Arsenii Budanov and Sofiia Petrash from Russia, Kristóf Havasi from Hungary, Juan David Toro Martín and Javier Janeiro Sánchez from Spain, and Takaya Minami from Japan. They qualified after Thursday's semifinals at the Centre de Congressos in Andorra la Vella, where 18 players performed Claude Pascal's mandatory "Sonatine" alongside a piece of their choice. The public final starts at 3pm on Saturday, April 4, with the winner announced at 8pm during the Sax Awards gala and festival closing.

The 13th edition of the festival, now nearing its end after almost a week, drew 130 professional and 60 youth competitors from 37 countries. Director Efrem Roca described it as a resounding success, noting the event's global draw. "Participants come from everywhere and very far away—from China, Japan, Colombia, or Mexico. In their countries, they talk about the Andorra Sax Fest. It's one of the most prestigious, if not the best, to win. Securing victory brings worldwide recognition," he said.

Budanov, winner of the 2025 Youth category, gave a headline recital at the venue on Wednesday evening. On Friday, Russian Alexandr Dolgov claimed the Solo Sax Youth Competition 2026 title in category D with "Danse Folle" by David Salleras and "Tel un serpent qui danse" by Karol Beffa. His prizes include a Selmer saxophone, 250 euros in Saxtienda.com vouchers, a one-year adlibitumclass.com subscription, and a fully funded spot in next year's saxophone-piano concert. Winners in other youth categories were Franciszek Wójcik (A), Mateo Pérez Blanco (B), and Xiaocheng Qin (C), chosen from 39 entrants across four age groups.

Friday evening featured the festival's orchestral finale with the Orquestra Nacional Clàssica d’Andorra (ONCA) under Àlex Sansó at 9pm. Violinist concertino Gabriel Coll highlighted the demanding programme—featuring French works, Vivaldi adaptations for saxophone, and wind-friendly keys—as a challenge outside the orchestra's usual repertoire. Around 20 ONCA musicians, plus percussion and harpsichord, accompanied up to six competition soloists. "It's intense work but gratifying," Coll said, praising the high calibre of participants from around the world.

Competitors have lauded the festival's prestige. Colombia's Juan Camilo Trujillo called participation "a huge challenge and an honour." Mexico's Santiago Ortiz Lira described it as an internationally renowned classical saxophone event that every player should experience once in a lifetime.