This prestigious meeting, which takes place every two years, is renowned for being the most comprehensive conductor competition in the world.
The young French conductor Swann Van Rechem, 25, won the 58th International Competition for Young Conductors in Besançon on Saturday, organized during the International Music Festival.
In addition to the Grand Prize, Swann Van Rechem also received the Public’s Favorite Prize and the Favorite Prize from the Orchester national d’Ile-de-France, which each of the three finalists was responsible for conducting under conditions of concert. He succeeds Nodoka Okisawa, winner of the Grand Prix in 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOT18MlKFy4
On which program did the three finalists compete?
The Frenchman Swann Van Rechem, the Korean Hae Lee and the Chinese Chao Dong took turns on the stage of the Ledoux theater in Besançon conducting the Orchester National d’Ile-de-France in Cosi fan tutte, Mozart overture; Don Juan op.20 by Strauss. They also directed the musicians in a piece by Alexandros Markeas, a world premiere and commissioned by the festival: Living happily during the war.
The jury decided to award a Special Mention to the Chinese Chao Dong to highlight his journey and his interpretation of creation Living happily during the war.
“We are so focused on the music during the week of the competition that we almost forget why we are there!” declared Swann Van Rechem to AFP. “And when we can advance to the next round, we are especially happy to finally be able to lead what we have been preparing for months. Obviously, this Grand Prix gives me enormous pleasure and the rest will be important“, added the winner.
A rigorous selection
In total, 280 candidates registered for this edition of the competition. “It’s a real marathon that these candidates have followed during auditions organized around the world since last April“, explains Jean-Michel Mathé, director of the festival and competition. “A jury with two pianists traveled to Berlin, Tokyo, Montreal and Paris“, he adds. Around twenty candidates were finally pre-selected. They were invited to Besançon to try to win the Grand Prize. At the end of the semi-final, only three remained. to face each other for the final.
This meeting, which takes place every two years, is renowned for being the most comprehensive conductor competition in the world. He has crowned conductors such as Seiji Osawa, Alexander Gibson, Sergiu Comissiona, Gerd Albrecht, Michel Plasson and Lionel Bringuier.