Syllabus

Orchestral Conducting

Syllabus ID: 19.01

Competition: In association with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Age: over 18 (please note no upper age limit from 2025) Competitors must complete the additional online entry form when entering for this competition. Shortlisting on the basis of information submitted may apply in the event of large numbers of entries.

1st Prize: Trophy, presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and a studio performance with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, recorded by RTÉ lyric fm. Also, the Crimmins Conducting Bursary of €500, presented by Séamus Crimmins.

Test Pieces 2025

Round 1(a): Competitors to choose one of the following works, the orchestral reduction of which will be performed on two pianos: (NB Competitors will be required to conduct their chosen work straight through, with no discussion with the pianists, other than an indication of tempo etc. at the start)

Mozart: The Magic Flute Overture
Beethoven: Egmont Overture (Luck's)
Schubert: Rosamunde Overture
Rossini: The Thieving Magpie Overture

Round 1(b): A minimum of three and maximum of six* competitors from Round 1(a) will be chosen to rehearse one of the following works with the pianists.  A maximum of 30 minutes will be allocated for this rehearsal which will take place on the same day.
*at the discretion of the adjudication panel

Haydn: Symphony No. 104, London, 1st movt.
Mozart: Symphony No.36 Linz, KV425, 1st movt.
Beethoven: Symphony No. 1, 1st movt. Luck's
​Brahms: Academic Festival Overture

Round 2 (Final): A maximum of three finalists will be selected from Round 1 (b) to conduct the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Finalists must conduct their assigned compulsory test piece below and also one of the other works in list (b).

Round 2 (a) Each of the three finalists will be assigned one of the following pieces to prepare for rehearsal and performance with soloist and orchestra:

Elgar Cello concerto -1st movt. (Luck's edition)
Beethoven - Ah perfido (Soprano)   (Breitkopf & Hartel (Urtext ed Ernst Herrtrich))
Rossini – Introduction, Theme and Variations for Clarinet and orchestra in E flat (Musica Rara) (NB - score will be available from the Feis office)

plus:

Round 2 (b) (Final) choices:

Haydn - Symphony No. 103 (Drum Roll)  1^st  movt
Mozart – Symphony No. 41 (Jupiter)   1^st or 2^nd  movt
Beethoven – Symphony No. 2   1^st movt
Beethoven   - Symphony No. 4  1^st or 2^nd movt
Schubert  - Symphony No. 5  1^st or 2^nd movt
Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4 (Italian)   1^st  movt
Ravel - Mother Goose Suite,  any two movements

Format of Round 2 (Final):

Each conductor will be allocated 20 minutes' discussion time with the soloist in advance of the orchestra session.  They will then have up to 50 minutes of rehearsal time with the soloist and the orchestra to rehearse both the concerto movement and their chosen orchestral work.

Performance of both pieces will take place in concert after the three rehearsals.

 

Please note the following in relation to this competition:
1. Choices for Rounds 1 (a), (b) and Round 2 (b) Final to be indicated on the entry form
2. Competitors who entered in 2024 may not repeat previously chosen own choice repertoire
3. Round 2 (a) test pieces will be allocated by the adjudication panel on announcement of the finalists at the end of the preliminary rounds

Date: 8 June 2025

Time: 11.30am & 2.00pm. The final will take place in RTÉ Studio 1 Montrose at 10am and 2pm Monday 9th June

Venue: All Hallows - Chapel

Adjudicator: Stephen Bell & Panel