Manoush Toth represented Switzerland at the Eurovision contest for young musicians 2026 which took place on June 6 in Yerevan, Armenia. Meeting with this 19-year-old pianist, trained at the Basel Music Academy, who was hailed by the selection jury as an “uncompromising artistic personality”.
Peace. This is what Manoush Toth feels when she sits down at the piano and all the notes seem right. And at the same time, she perceives the strength of the present moment, the awareness that only this moment counts.
The Swiss public wishes him this same peace for the evening of June 6. On this date the Eurovision final for young musicians will take place in Yerevan, the Armenian capital. The musical competition, organized every two years by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), offers a prestigious stage to young talents in classical music.
As part of a program by the German-speaking public media SRF aimed at promoting Swiss musical talents (read box 2), the 19-year-old young woman was selected by a jury of experts to represent Switzerland in Armenia.
Concerto for piano by Clara Schumann
For this special performance in Yerevan, Manoush Toth chose a work by Schumann – not Robert, but Clara, his wife. “Clara Schumann is being played more and more. But it’s not yet enough,” defends the young pianist at micro de SRF. His piano concerto is one of the most important of the 19th century.
This choice says a lot about Manoush Toth. And on his “serious” approach to classical music, in his own words. Because for her, seriousness rhymes above all with open-mindedness and curiosity. “When we know the history of classical music, an inestimable treasure is offered to us,” believes the musician.
She herself felt its brilliance from the age of 2, thanks to the violin. Music entered his life almost at the same time as the development of language. And it is, therefore, still as familiar to him. Even saying that “music is like a mother tongue”.
Bachelor’s degree from the Basel Music Academy
Manoush Toth was born on September 16, 2006 in La Palma, Canary Islands. She spent part of her childhood there, before moving to the Bernese Oberland. As children and adolescents, the artists and his brothers and sisters were home schooled. ‘It was paradise,’ says Manoush Toth.
Winner of numerous national and international competitions, the musician obtained her degree in piano performance at the Basel Music Academy (FHNW) in 2025 and is currently continuing her studies there for a master’s degree in performance.
Sujet original: Mélanie Pfänder (SRF)
Adaptation française: Julien Furrer/aq (RTS)
The Eurovision Contest for Young Musicians 2026 can be seen delayed on RTS 2 on June 7, 2026 at 8:55 p.m. then on Play RTS.
