The Eurovision Young Musicians 2006 was the thirteenth edition of the Eurovision Young Musicians, held at the Rathausplatz in Vienna, Austria on 12 May 2006.[1] Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), musicians from seven countries participated in the televised final. This was the first time that the competition was held on an open-air stage and was the beginning of the annual Vienna Festival. Austria and broadcaster ORF previously hosted the contest in 1990 and 1998.[1]
A total of eighteen countries took part in the competition therefore a semi-final was held at the Konzerthaus, Vienna on 7 and 8 May 2006. All participants performed a classical piece of their choice accompanied by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Christian Arming.[1] The young musicians could not be older than 19 and their performance during the final could not be longer than 7 minutes and 30 seconds. Bulgaria and Serbia and Montenegro made their début while Czech Republic returned. Two countries decided not to participate, they were Estonia and Germany.[1]
Andreas Brantelid of Sweden won the contest, with Norway and Russia placing second and third respectively.[2]
Rathausplatz, a square outside the Wiener Rathaus city hall of Vienna, was the host location for the 2006 edition of the Eurovision Young Musicians final. The Konzerthaus, a concert hall in Vienna, Austria, hosted the semi-final round. The Konzerthaus previously hosted the contest in 1998.[1]
Actor Michael Ostrowski in his role as Schallbert "Sillety" Gilet was the host of the 2006 contest.[3] The interval act included performances of several Mozart pieces by the host, and other invited artists.[1]
A total of eighteen countries took part in the semi-final round of the 2006 contest, of which seven qualified to the televised grand final.[1]
Due to the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the pieces performed by the finalists were restricted to Mozart or pieces from his contemporaries. Awards were given to the top three countries. The table below highlights these using gold, silver, and bronze. The placing results of the remaining participants is unknown and never made public by the European Broadcasting Union.[2]
The jury members consisted of the following:[1]
Austria – Ranko Markovic (head)
Japan/.svg/1280px-Flag_of_Switzerland_(Pantone).svg.png){kind=small}
Switzerland – Hiroko Sakagami
Sweden – Martin Fröst
United States – Carole Dawn Reinhart Austria – Heinz Sichrovsky
Norway – Erik Niord Larsen Austria – Lidia BaichThe competition was transmitted live over the Eurovision Network by the participating broadcasters.[4]