4th Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

The role of the conductor has been much described, dissected and discussed. Tales and legends festoon this fabled figure. The maestro is feared and admired, attacked and fêted. Held up by Elias Canetti as the embodiment of power, for us the conductor evokes such concepts as inspiration, authenticity and vision. The requirements of this singular profession are indeed highly complex and hard to characterize, combining artistic gifts with technical skills and excellent communication.

The list does not end there, which is why an institution like the Bamberg Symphony’s Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition is so important. Every three years since 2004 the Competition has been giving young artists the opportunity to gain valuable experience of working with a top orchestra and to present themselves before a high-calibre jury and the wider musical world.

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