Sixth edition of the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition to be held in Birmingham
19 Nov 2025
Press Story
The Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) are pleased to announce that the competition's sixth edition will take place from the 3rd to the 6th of September 2026 in Birmingham, presented in partnership with orchestra under its Music Director, Kazuki Yamada.
Since its foundation in 2007, the Svetlanov Competition has been devoted to discovering, supporting and promoting the next generation of exceptional conductors. Guided by the values most cherished by Maestro Evgeny Svetlanov – excellence, passion for music, transmission and integrity – the competition continues to shape the future of classical music.
An International and Itinerant Competition
Reflecting Svetlanov’s spirit as a true ambassador of music around the world, the competition is both international and itinerant, having previously been held in Luxembourg, Montpellier, Paris (twice) and Monte Carlo.
The 2026 edition marks an exciting new chapter as it travels to Birmingham, offering young conductors the opportunity to work with one of Europe’s leading orchestras, the CBSO, renowned for its versatility and distinction across both symphonic and operatic repertoire.
“We are delighted to welcome the Svetlanov Competition to Birmingham in 2026. For us, the CBSO, it is a privilege and a meaningful responsibility to support young conductors from around the world at this pivotal moment in their careers. The energy, curiosity and passion of this new generation continually inspire us. And of course, I must also state here that being involved in a competition bearing the name of Svetlanov, a truly great conductor, is a tremendous honour for me personally.”
Kazuki Yamada, Music Director of the CBSO
"Here at the CBSO, we’re thrilled to be able to support the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition as it makes its UK debut. Our Music Director, Kazuki Yamada, was instrumental in instigating the competition's first visit to Birmingham and shares our excitement in welcoming such a prestigious event to our home, the world-class Symphony Hall. It will be a privilege to help spotlight the next generation of conductors and we really look forward to welcoming them all to our amazing city."
Emma Stenning, CEO of the CBSO
In 2025, the Svetlanov Competition became a proud member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC), joining the ranks of the world’s most recognised institutions dedicated to supporting young conductors.
Prestigious Jury and Artistic Leadership
The Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition was founded in 2007 thanks to the dedication and contributions of Maestro Svetlanov’s spouse, Nina Svetlanova (who passed away 2019), and his impresario and friend, Marina Bower, Svetlanov’s intellectual heir. Since its inception, both have remained devoted supporters of the competition, ensuring the preservation and advancement of Svetlanov’s artistic legacy.
The artistic direction of the competition is led by René Koering, former Music Director of Radio France and Founder of the Radio France International Music Festival in Montpellier.
The Jury of the 2026 edition will be chaired by Maestro Bertrand de Billy, whose distinguished career embraces both opera and concert conducting. The present composition of jury members reflects the increasing importance of versatility across symphonic and opera conducting in today’s musical world.
Expanding Reach and Partnerships
With its growing international profile, the Svetlanov Competition aims to attract the most talented young conductors worldwide through targeted communication and partnerships with orchestras, conservatoires, music schools and cultural institutions.
It also seeks to build international audiences – both in the concert hall and online – while continuing to promote Maestro Svetlanov’s enduring legacy and long-term influence on future generations of musicians.
A Proven Platform for Emerging Talent
Since 2007, the Svetlanov Competition has welcomed more than 90 young conductors from around the globe. Each edition selects 18 participants from an average of 350 applications representing over 50 countries.
Remarkably, over 80 percent of past participants have gone on to enjoy international careers, confirming the competition’s reputation as one of the most effective springboards for emerging conductors worldwide.
Through its commitment to artistic excellence and education, the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition continues to honour Svetlanov's legacy – inspiring and empowering a new generation of conductors.
Applications and New Features for 2026
Applications for the 2026 edition will be open from 1 March to 15 April 2026. Conductors are invited to consult the official rules on the competition’s website before applying.
For the first time, the competition will be open to the public from the semi-finals onwards, allowing audiences to experience the emergence of tomorrow’s great conductors first-hand. The competition will be broadcast live by medici.tv.
“ The conductor stands before living people. Each of them is an individual. But at that moment they must be directed toward a single whole. In rehearsal they must immerse themselves in the world of the work they are rehearsing. And here, evidently, lies perhaps the conductor’s most important task: to make the silent signs of notation speak, by means of which the composer leaves his creation; to make sound the music that was born in his mind and to convey this music to people. This is what the conductor must accomplish while leading the orchestra.”
Evgeny Svetlanov
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