About the Competition

The Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition was founded over twenty years ago in 1990 by Donatella Flick. The Competition’s principal aim is to bridge the gap between conservatoire training and professional life for emerging young conductors. In 1996 a unique partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra was forged and from 2012 the administration of the competition will be undertaken by the LSO.

In addition to an award of £15,000, the winner of the Competition will have the opportunity to become Assistant Conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra for up to one year. During this time with the LSO the successful conductor will work with the LSO’s Principal and guest conductors on the preparation of concerts, often on the assessment of new scores, take part in the LSO’s education and outreach programme, LSO Discovery, accompany the orchestra on tour and, should the opportunity arise, conduct the LSO in concert.

The 2012 competition will be held in London on 28–30 September 2012, and will be open to conductors under the age of 35 who are citizens of the 27 countries having full membership of the European Union.

Achievements

The achievements of Donatella Flick and the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition are numerous. They were recognised by the jury of the Pro-European Foundation for Culture when she received the European Project Award for Music in Copenhagen in September 2000 and, in 2002, the Wilhelm Furtwängler Prize for her continuing encouragement of young conductors in this competition.

In October 2006 Donatella Flick was awarded the Commendatore al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, presented by Carlo Ciampi and in June 2007, she received the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award, which was established in 1992 to honour and support patrons of the arts who have given exceptional time and energy to artists and their work.

The 2012 Jury

The 2012 Shortlist

Congratulations to the 20 shortlisted entrants:

Winner
Alexandre Bloch

Finalists
Alexandre Bloch
Ben Gernon 
Stamatia Karampini

Second round
Alexandre Bloch
Alexander Boiadjiev
Ben Gernon
Stamatia Karampini
Lio Kuokman
Courtney Lewis 
Jonathan Lo
Gemma New
Azis Sadikowic
Maxim Tortelier

First round
Christian Baldini
Alexandre Bloch
Alexander Boiadjiev
Adam Cser
Konstaninos Diminakis
Lam Tran Dinh
Jordi Frances-Sanjuan
Joolz Gale
Ben Gernon
Issac Gonzalez
Stamatia Karampini
Lio Kuokman
Courtney Lewis 
Jonathan Lo
Marius McGuinness
Gemma New
Azis Sadikowic
Stefano Sarzani
Maxim Tortelier
Robert Tuohy

The 2012 Competition

28–30 September 2012

The Guildhall School of Music and Drama Symphony Orchestra will be the orchestra for rounds one and two and the final, public round will take place in the Barbican with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Music: Round 1
Mozart Symphony No 38 (‘Prague’)
Schubert Symphony No 8 (‘Unfinished’)
Stravinsky Dances concertantes

Music: Round 2
Elgar Violin Concerto: Allegro, Andante
Mozart Orchestral Recitatives from ‘Don Giovanni’
Helen Grime Virga (LSO commission)
Andrew McCormack With Echoes and Lights (LSO commission)

Music: Final Round
Weber Overture: Der Freischütz
Debussy La mer
Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet – Suite