HUGO International Competition Names 2025 Winners

The Echo Theory trio has won first place with €1,500, as well as a €5,000 production budget to implement their concert idea

Montforter Zwischentöne arts festival presents the HUGO - International Competition for New Concert Formats each year with an annually changing theme. 

Named for Hugo von Montfort (1357 to 1423) — the first musician in the Vorarlberg region — the competition searches for innovative concepts and provides a platform for emerging artists. 

From a total of 64 applicants from 19 universities across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, four ensembles were invited to Feldkirch to present their concepts on the theme of “Staying Confident,” for a concert designed for the Palais Liechtenstein. 

First place and a total of €6,500 was awarded to the HKB Bern University of the Arts students Erin Torres, Béatrice Garrido, and Julian Schletti of the Echo Theory trio. 

The Second prize of €600 went to Duo Zwischen from Stuttgart and Leipzig, the €200 third prize was awarded to composer Tibor Kovács from Salzburg, and the fourth prize of €200 went to the On5 quintet from Nuremberg. 

The Echo Theory’s project centers on the history of Feldkirch through themes of community and connection. Ultimately, they proposed a day-long installation in addition to an evening concert. 

“We will capture the voices and stories of residents of all ages and backgrounds, each of whom speaks or attempts to speak the local Vorarlberg dialect in their own way, in pre-recordings and live recordings, and incorporate them into a concert installation — always with reference to the theme of ‘confidence,” the Echo Theory trio explained. 

As part of their win, the trio will present their concert at the Montforter Zwischentöne festival on November 30, 2025, at the Palais Liechtenstein. In preparation, they will also receive professional coaching from the festival’s two artistic directors Hans-Joachim Gögl and Folkert Uhde.

The 2025 Hugo jury comprised Sonja Stibi, Anja Christina Loosli, and Bernhard Günther. Final winners were also determined through audience voting.