PRESS RELEASE 15.9.2005

3. INTERNATIONAL SIBELIUS CONDUCTORS´ COMPETITION

The Encouragement Award of 7500 euros was given to Andreas Tselikas (Greece).
The Finals Participant Prize of 1500 euros - Shuntaro Sato (Japan)
The Finals Participant Prize of 1500 euros - Jan Söderblom (Finland

By the closing date 198 applications had been received with video tapes; this figure is slightly higher than for the 2nd competition five years ago. The candidates represent 43 nations and 19 of them are women. The highest number of applications came from the USA (23), Japan (22) and Russia (17). Eight were from Finnish conductors.

The distinguished international jury will be chaired by conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, who
is also Artistic Director of the Competition. The other members are composer-conductor Oliver Knussen, conductor Neeme Järvi, conductor Eri Klas, conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, President and Chief Executive Officer Deborah Borda, Consultant Ernest Fleischmann and Executive Director Trygve Nordwall.

The orchestras throughout the Competition at Finlandia Hall were the Helsinki Philharmonic and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

The Competition has commissioned a work entitled Trial from the Finnish composer Uljas Pulkkis for Round II.

The Competition is organised by the Association for the Development and Support of Young Conductors chaired by Ilkka-Christian Björklund, Deputy Mayor of the City of Helsinki.

The next competition will be held in Helsinki from 12th to 15th September 2005.

PRESS RELEASE

The 3rd International Sibelius Conductors’ Competition is to be held in Helsinki, Finland on 12-15 September 2005. It will consist of rounds I and II, semi-finals and finals. The orchestras at Finlandia Hall will be the Helsinki Philharmonic and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

By the closing date 198 applications had been received with video tapes; this figure is slightly higher than for the 2nd competition five years ago. The candidates represent 43 nations and 19 of them are women. The highest number of applications came from the USA (23), Japan (22) and Russia (17). Eight were from Finnish conductors.

The distinguished international Jury will be chaired by conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, who
is also Artistic Director of the Competition. The other members are composer-conductor Oliver Knussen, conductor Neeme Järvi, conductor Eri Klas, conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, President and Chief Executive Officer Deborah Borda, Consultant Ernest Fleischmann and Executive Director Trygve Nordwall.

On the basis of the video recordings, 25 candidates were invited to participate in the competition. They were selected by conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen and consultant Ernest Fleischmann. A list of the participants in the preliminary round to be held in September is attached in alphabetical order.

Prizes worth €15,000, €12,000 and €10,000 will be awarded to the most successful candidates. The Jury will have the right to divide the prizes in some other way. Several orchestras have expressed an interest in engaging the successful candidates.

The Competition has commissioned a work entitled Trial from the Finnish composer Uljas Pulkkis for Round II.

The Competition is organised by the Association for the Development and Support of Young Conductors chaired by Ilkka-Christian Björklund, Deputy Mayor of the City of Helsinki.

Further information:
Jere Siukola, Competition Secretary, tel. +358 40 75 85 865
jere.siukola@sibeliusconductorscompetition.org
Elina Siltanen, Secretary General, tel. +358 40 5030 997
elina.siltanen@hel.fi

COMPETITORS 2005