165 conductors from 50 countries worldwide applied for the first edition of ICCR. During the selection rounds in 2021 six fantastic conductors were selected for the competition. In five rounds with different orchestras and themes, from classical to contemporary, from opera to large symphonic, the conductors showed what they have to offer.
Grand Prix for Best Allrounder: €15,000
Winner: Bertie Baigent
Proms Open Air Concert: €7,500
Winner: Martijn Dendievel
Contemporary Music: €7,500
Winner: Chloe Rooke
Classical Music: €7,500
Winner: Bertie Baigent
Opera: €7,500
Winner: Luis Toro Araya
Great Symphonic Works: €7,500
Winner: Bertie Baigent
The ICCR presents a new format for the judging, in which a winner will be determined for each round. Next to these six ‘specialist awards’ also a Grand Prix will be awarded for the best all-round conductor. The international jury will consist of a fixed core of three members extended with three rotating ‘specialists’ for each round.
ICCR presents a new formula, which offers the conductors the opportunity to work with diverse top orchestras. The first edition in 2022 will involve the following orchestras and musicians.
Sinfonia Rotterdam
Open air concert – next to Hotel New York
15:00 – 18:00
The ICCR kicks off with a free entrance open air concert. The conductors are given a free hand to put together a programme with only two conditions: there must be a personal story and it must be accessible to a wide audience
DoelenEnsemble
Jurriaanse Hall | De Doelen
10:00 Rehearsals | 20:00 Concert
In the Contemporary Round the conductors will work with the DoelenEnsemble on highlights of the last century: Schoenberg’s Kammersymphonie, Gougalon by Unsuk Chin and Ligeti’s Kammerkonzert.
Orchestra of the 18th Century
Main Hall | De Doelen
10:00 & 13:00 Rehearsals | 20:00 Concert
During the Classical Round, the conductors each present a mixed programme with a movement from Haydn’s symphony, an overture by Beethoven and a movement from Schubert’s Eighth or Ninth Symphony.
Main Hall | De Doelen
10:00 Rehearsals | 20:00 Concert
The ultimate test: the conductors do not only work with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, but also with the Laurens Symphony Chorus and five singers of the International Vocal Competition. Each conductor will perform a 20-minute selection from Bizet’s masterpiece Carmen.
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
Main Hall | De Doelen
10:00 Rehearsals | 19:00 Concert & Award Ceremony
The six conductors show what they have to offer during a spectacular final concert with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. After the evening concert the prizes will be awarded by the jury.
1 – 13 June 2025
