Interna­tional Conducting Competi­tion Liechten­stein

Vaduz 25-29 June 2026

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The Competition

The First International Conducting Competition Liechtenstein offers talented and aspiring conductors from around the world a remarkable opportunity to develop their artistry and launch their careers on an international stage.

The participants of the competition will have the unique chance to collaborate with a distinguished, world-renowned jury, celebrated soloists, and leading concertmasters—an invaluable experience that provides both artistic growth and professional exposure. The winner of the competition will receive a prize of 30,000 CHF, as well as invitations to appear as guest conductor with the Symphony Orchestra Liechtenstein. This is a truly transformative opportunity for emerging conductors to elevate their careers and establish themselves within the global musical community.

The First International Conducting Competition Liechtenstein takes place amid the breathtaking landscape of the Liechtenstein Alps, offering not only an inspiring setting but also a meaningful cultural experience.

A Unique Concept

At the heart of the First International Conducting Competition Liechtenstein lies a truly distinctive philosophy: no one is better suited to identify and nurture the next generation of leading conductors than the exceptional musicians who collaborate with them every day.

With a jury composed of some of the most esteemed conductors of our time, world-renowned soloists on piano, violin, and cello who perform regularly on international stages, and concertmasters from Europe’s finest orchestras, this competition represents a decision made by musicians, for musicians.

Prices & Awards

Price Money
30.000
Swiss Francs
for the First Prize

Performances
Invitation to guest conduct the Liechtenstein Symphony Orchestra in the following seasons

Trophy
A trophy exclusively designed for this award

Media
Participants will benefit from extensive media coverage like Social Media Posts, Interviews, Award ceremony Live Streams, etc.

Jury

Anu Tali
Music Director of the Nordic Symphony Orchestra and former Music Director of the Sarasota Orchestra in Florida
Uros Lajovic
Former Chief Conductor of renowned European orchestras and mentor to Kirill Petrenko and Andreas Estrada
Konstantin Ilievsky*
Preselection Jury*. Served as Chief Conductor of the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Sofia and conductor of the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra in Bratislava
Istvan Vardai
Winner of the ARD-Competition and Artistic Director of the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra
Illia Ovcharenko
1st price New York and Honens International Piano Competition
Kevin Zhu
1st Prize at the Paganini Competition and Menuhin Competition
Guy Braunstein
Formerly 1st concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Gregory Ahss
Concertmaster of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and CAMERATA Salzburg 
Dawid Runtz*
Host & Preselection Jury*. Chief Conductor of the Liechtenstein Symphony Orchestra and the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra
X

This competition gives you the opportunity to redefine your career.

Requirements

Application Requirements

Conductors of all nationalities
Conductors up to 32 years old

Participation Fee

A registration fee of 100 CHF is charged; otherwise, there are no additional fees.

*Preselection Process

The preliminary selection will be conducted by a separate jury, which will review all submitted applications and select nine candidates to participate in the competition.

To promote diversity and inclusion, at least two people of the nine available spots will be awarded to female and/or non-binary applicants.

All jury decisions are final and binding. No explanations or justifications will be provided.

Guidelines

Online application

Application deadline: December 31, 2025

  • Video recording showing recent conducting experience ideally demonstrating a varied selection of standard orchestral repertoire (max 15 minutes); showing front view of the conductor from a reasonable distance

    • Recordings of piano rehearsals are not permitted.
    • The submitted videos should, if possible, include conducting of symphonic repertoire.


  • Two high-resolution photographs, one of which must be a portrait photo, including photo credits.

Additional Terms and Conditions

Accommodation and meals will be provided to all participants for the duration of their stay in Liechtenstein.

Travel to and from the competition must be organized and covered by the participants themselves.

The organizer reserves the right to broadcast, livestream, and record the competition (audio and video) for radio, television, and online platforms. Participants are not entitled to claim any fees or royalties for the use or distribution of these recordings.

By submitting their application, participants accept the competition rules and conditions, as well as the decisions of the jury, as binding. Legal recourse is excluded.

Applications that do not meet the formal requirements may be rejected.

All applicants agree to participate in media and promotional activities related to the competition.

 

Schedule

25th June 2026
DO
Arrival to Liechtenstein
AFTERNOON 04:00 PM

Arrival to Liechtenstein

EVENING 08:00 PM

Welcome-Dinner & Social

Media Interviews

26th June 2026
FR
Round 1

Group A 5 Participants
Group B 4 Participants

MORNING 10:00 AM

Group A
Score reading with piano (15 min. p.p.)

Group B
Jury interview (15 min. p.p.)

AFTERNOON 3:00 PM

Group B
Score reading with piano (15 min. p.p.)

Group A
Jury interview (15 min. p.p.)

EVENING 7:00 PM

Intermediate decision Jury
Dinner & Exchange

27th June 2026
SA
Round 2

Group A 3 Participants
Group B 3 Participants

MORNING 10:00 AM

Group A
Working with Chamber Orchestra (45 min. p.p.)

AFTERNOON 3:00 PM

Group B
Working with Chamber Orchestra (45 min. p.p.)

EVENING 7:00 PM

Intermediate decision Jury & Selection of compulsory pieces
Sunday & Dinner

28th June 2026
SO
Round 3

3 Participants

MORNING 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

Finalist 1–3

Orchestral rehearsal Ouverture with Sinfonieorchester Liechtenstein (45 min. p.p.)

EVENING 7:00–10:00 PM

Finalist 1–3
Coordination rehearsal with soloist (20 min. p.p.)

Orchestral rehearsal with Soloist and Sinfonieorchester Liechtenstein (30 min. p.p.)

29th June 2026
MO
Finale

3 Finalists

MORNING 11:00–12:30 AM

Finalist 1–3 & Jury

Interviews, Fotoshootings & Get Together

EARLY EVENING 5:30 PM

Run-through rehearsal (75 min. total)

EVENING 7:30–10:30 PM

Concert Finale

Award Ceremony

Statement

We believe that the future and the technical skills of every conductor do not lie solely in leading large symphonies, but primarily in a versatile and holistic approach to their work. For this reason, we have developed a competition repertoire that, in addition to score reading, focuses on conducting chamber orchestras, leading major symphonic overtures, and, above all, collaborating with soloists.

The selected works present individual challenges and unique opportunities in each round. All three overtures share similarities through the incorporation of the Liechtenstein national anthem, yet each is distinct, while for the three solo works, one individual soloist is provided.

Repertoire

Round 1 – Score Reading with Piano

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Symphony No. 41 in C major, KV 551
Bärenreiter edition

+ A prima vista

Round 2 - Chamber Orchestra 

Obligatory Piece:
Béla Bartók (1881–1945)
Divertimento, BB 118
Boosey corrected edition, 1939

Piece of Choice:
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)
Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor, “Farewell”, Hob. I:45
Bärenreiter edition

or

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Symphony No. 29 in A major, KV 201 (186a)
Bärenreiter edition

Round 3a – Symphony Orchestra: Overtures

All pieces must be prepared beforehand, and one will be selected at random in each round. 

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Wellington’s Victory, Op. 91
Breitkopf edition

or

Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826)
Jubilee Overture, Op. 59, J. 245
Breitkopf edition

or

Joseph Joachim Raff (1822–1882)
Jubel Overture: “Jubel March” in C major, Op. 103

Round 3b – Symphony Orchestra & Soloist

 All pieces must be prepared beforehand, and one will be selected at random in each round. 
Franz Liszt (1811–1886)
Fantasia on Hungarian Folk Melodies for piano and orchestra (Hungarian Fantasy), S.123
Kalmus edition

or

Franz Waxman (1906–1967)
Carmen Fantasy for violin and orchestra

 or

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)
Rondo in G minor, Op. 94, B.181 for cello and orchestra
Kalmus edition

Vaduz

Vaduz and the Principality of Liechtenstein – A Cultural Jewel in the Heart of Europe

The competition takes place in the heart of Europe, in the prestigious Principality of Liechtenstein – a country renowned not only for its breathtaking alpine landscapes but also for its vibrant cultural scene.

Liechtenstein is home to the renowned Academy of Music, the acclaimed Sinfonieorchester Liechtenstein, and the celebrated Vaduz Classic Festival. Over the years, Liechtenstein has evolved into a true cultural hotspot nestled in the Alps, offering a unique blend of artistic ambition and natural beauty.

With its excellent infrastructure, state-of-the-art venues, and short distances between key locations, Liechtenstein provides the perfect setting for a world-class competition. Participants and guests benefit from a seamless experience, with convenient access via Zurich International Airport, as well as direct train and taxi connections.

Whether you are arriving for inspiration, performance, or competition – Vaduz and Liechtenstein welcome you with open arms and an unforgettable cultural experience.

Partner

 

Host
Stiftung Sinfonieorchester Liechtenstein

Concept
KULMAG Kulturmanagement AG

Associated Partners & Media
Musikakademie in Liechtenstein
KULMAG.Live

Join the International Conducting Competition – Inspire, Lead, and Create!

Take the next step in your career at the International Conducting Competition Liechtenstein — a high-profile Musikwettbewerb and Dirigierwettbewerb devoted to artistic excellence, Talentförderung, and meaningful Kulturförderung.

Official site: musiccompetition.li

Why Apply

  • Perform with a professional Orchester in a full-scale Konzert setting.
  • Present your artistry to an international Jury (each Juror is a noted conductor or Komponist), alongside distinguished Instrumentalist and Solist partners and leading voices from Sänger / Gesang.
  • Compete for significant Preisgeld, special Auszeichnung, and career-advancing opportunities including a Stipendium and future engagements as a Gastdirigent.
  • Benefit from a curated Meisterklasse (Masterclass) and targeted Jugendförderung initiatives for emerging talents.

The Competition

Across multiple rounds culminating in the thrilling Finalrunde at the Philharmonie, candidates will lead rehearsals and concerts featuring a broad Repertoire that includes a challenging Pflichtstück (compulsory work). The most outstanding Teilnehmer will receive prizes, professional invitations, and media Aufnahmen.

Our programming embraces the full spectrum of Klassische Musik while remaining deeply Akademisch in rigor and practical in outlook — bridging conservatory training with main-stage reality.

How to Enter

The Ausschreibung outlines eligibility, required materials, and the audition video guidelines for your Bewerbung. You’ll submit a concise CV, conducting Aufnahmen, and your proposed Repertoire. Please check the official page for the exact Bewerbungsfrist (application deadline) and repertoire lists.

The Veranstalter will confirm receipt and communicate rehearsal schedules, repertoire assignments, and any collaboration details with Instrumentalisten, Solisten, and Sänger / Gesang.

Award & Career Path

Beyond Preisgeld and Auszeichnung, laureates may receive a Stipendium, invitations as Gastdirigent, and introductions to partner institutions committed to Kulturförderung. Select winners will be featured in professionally produced Aufnahmen and considered for future projects with our Orchester and collaborating houses.

Ready to Conduct?

Bring your vision, leadership, and musicianship to Liechtenstein. Explore the full Ausschreibung and start your Bewerbung today: www.musiccompetition.li

Imprint GTC
hosted by Stiftung Sinfonieorchester Liechtenstein