Efficiency and inefficiency in the ranking in competitions : the case of the Queen Elisabeth music contest

The Queen Elisabeth Contest is one of the most prestigious competitions in classical music. For both the artists who participate and for the public, it is important that the ranking of the finalists be affected as little as possible by exogenous factors relating to the organisation of the competition. Analysing data on all piano and violin versions over the period 1956-1999, the authors find strong evidence of biasis in the ranking process. Results.