Do we need more conductors?
If we compare the number of conducting competitions to instrumental competitions, perhaps it is not an exaggeration to say that there is perhaps one conducting competition for every 15 instrumental competitions. After all, only one conductor is needed for an entire orchestra!
The first edition of our Conducting Competition in 2018 attracted 310 applicants from 49 countries and regions, culminating in three rounds of competition starting with 16 conductors. The whole competition was livestreamed with the latest technology at the time, and the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall was filled with an unmistakable air of excitement. It was the first conducting competition ever held in Hong Kong and the vicinity! Five years on, we envisage a wider interest worldwide.
The future of orchestras depends on good conductors – so yes we need more conductors, and through the competition, we bring the conductors nearer to the professional stage.
Messages from the Co-chairs
Yip Wing-sie:
“After the big success of our 1st Hong Kong International Conducting Competition in 2018, it gives us tremendous encouragement to organise the next edition. We are very happy to continue our support for young conductors of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds to pursue a conducting career, and we look forward to finally welcoming them to Hong Kong in 2023.”
Christoph Poppen:
“It is with the greatest pleasure that I welcome all young conductors to the 2nd Hong Kong International Conducting Competition! The world has changed since we organised the Competition for the first time, but what has not changed is the need of brilliant young conductors. Having the chance to meet fellow conductors and interact with a professional orchestra and the prestigious Jury members are all important experiences for budding conductors! So welcome to Hong Kong!”
The Orchestra
Hong Kong Sinfonietta is the official orchestra of the Competition and Workshop.
One of Hong Kong’s flagship orchestras, Hong Kong Sinfonietta has brought music closer to the community, and achieved significant local and international recognition for its passionate performances and innovative programming. Since 1999, Hong Kong Sinfonietta has collaborated with an illustrious array of international musicians and groups, including in recent years Ilya Gringolts, Martin Helmchen, Sergei Nakariakov, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Krzysztof Penderecki, The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch.
The orchestra is a regular guest at international arts festivals and has toured 41 cities around the world. As an avid believer of keeping music alive and contemporary, Hong Kong Sinfonietta commissions and performs new works every year and ventures into new initiatives, recently receiving wide acclaim for its Back On Stage concert film series, as well as the Tiny Galaxy Concerts online series featuring performances recorded at a fascinating hostel in Hong Kong. In 2021, the orchestra co-curated the “Life is Art” film festival with MOViE MOViE, while continuing to break down barriers between music and audience with free chamber concerts held regularly at Hong Kong City Hall.
Find out more about Hong Kong Sinfonietta!
