Mikhail Shekhtman won Fricsay conducting competition in Szeged

Russian-born conductor Mikhail Shekhtman won the Ferenc Fricsay International Conducting Competition, whose final was held Sunday at the Korzó Zeneház in Szeged.

Shekhtman conducted the fourth movement of Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor to claim the top prize at the event, which was held for the second time. Italy’s Nicolo Azzena, who chose the same work, shared third place with Hong Kong’s Vivian (Wing Wun) Ip, while second place went to Hyunsik Shin, a German conductor of Korean origin.

The competition, organized by Swiss company Concert@Media, drew more than 400 applicants from 54 countries. Based on video submissions, 96 contestants were invited to perform live with the Szeged Symphony Orchestra. Among them were 12 women; the oldest was a 70-year-old participant from Japan.

In the final, both the jury — led by Nayden Todorov of the Sofia Philharmonic — and the orchestra’s musicians voted on the winner. Jurors judged not only musical performance and artistic impact but also the conductor’s rapport with the ensemble.

Winners will receive guest-conducting opportunities with leading European orchestras. Organizers plan to hold the next Fricsay competition in 2027.

This article is based on a handout from the Hungarian News Agency (MTI).

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